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Published online: 2023-08-29
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The European Code Against Cancer – new evidence and recommendations

Ariadna Feliu1, David Ritchie1, Joachim Schuz1, Carolina Espina1
DOI: 10.5603/njo.96724
Affiliations
  1. Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

open access

Ahead of print
Cancer prevention and public health
Published online: 2023-08-29

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health concern in the European Union (EU). There were 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths in the EU; of them, around 40% could be prevented. Primary prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for cancer control. The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC, 4th edition) is a health education tool aimed at raising awareness about evidence-based cancer prevention actions among EU citizens. The ECAC describes 12 ways individuals can reduce their cancer risk. Awareness of the ECAC (4th ed.) was low (2–21%) and, therefore, efforts are needed to improve cancer prevention awareness throughout the region. Civil society and other stakeholders’ engagement is key to improve cancer prevention in the region. Our aim is to propose recommendations to improve future ECAC editions to achieve an increase in cancer prevention literacy in the EU.

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health concern in the European Union (EU). There were 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths in the EU; of them, around 40% could be prevented. Primary prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for cancer control. The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC, 4th edition) is a health education tool aimed at raising awareness about evidence-based cancer prevention actions among EU citizens. The ECAC describes 12 ways individuals can reduce their cancer risk. Awareness of the ECAC (4th ed.) was low (2–21%) and, therefore, efforts are needed to improve cancer prevention awareness throughout the region. Civil society and other stakeholders’ engagement is key to improve cancer prevention in the region. Our aim is to propose recommendations to improve future ECAC editions to achieve an increase in cancer prevention literacy in the EU.

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Keywords

European Code Against Cancer; cancer prevention; health literacy

About this article
Title

The European Code Against Cancer – new evidence and recommendations

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Ahead of print

Article type

Review paper

Published online

2023-08-29

Page views

34

Article views/downloads

26

DOI

10.5603/njo.96724

Keywords

European Code Against Cancer
cancer prevention
health literacy

Authors

Ariadna Feliu
David Ritchie
Joachim Schuz
Carolina Espina

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