Driving policy progress in bladder cancer through collaboration

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 continued on Public Day in Brussels with an insightful multi-stakeholder session titled Driving policy progress in bladder cancer through collaboration. Moderated by Sarah Delangefrom Cancer Vessie France, the discussion brought together experts from across research, policy, and industry to explore how joint action can accelerate change for people affected by bladder cancer.

Prof. Hendrik Van Poppel, Policy Office Chair at the European Association of Urology, brought the clinical and professional perspective. He highlighted the EAU’s work in advancing multidisciplinary collaboration in urological cancers, emphasising that even non-muscle invasive bladder cancer should be discussed within multidisciplinary teams. He also described the EAU’s extensive patient engagement efforts, from translating clinical guidelines into patient-friendly versions in over 20 languages, to including patient representatives in every guideline panel. Prof. Van Poppel reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between professional societies and patient coalitions to drive real policy impact.

Representing industry, Christopher McPherson, Head of Global Oncology Policy & Advocacy at AstraZeneca, discussed how partnerships between patient groups, academia, and industry can support evidence-based policymaking. He shared lessons from successful cross-sector initiatives such as the Lung Cancer Policy Network, where shared data, robust evidence, and unified advocacy have led to national lung cancer screening programmes in several countries. “We all have different interests, but a common goal — improving outcomes for patients,” he said, underlining the importance of transparency and complementary roles in collaboration.

Elisabetta Zanon, Chief Executive Officer of the European Cancer Organisation, spoke about the power of collective impact through networks and coalitions. With more than 60 member organisations, ECO connects professional societies and patient groups to align policy and advocacy efforts across Europe. She welcomed WBCPC’s upcoming Women Unseen report, sharing her own experience of delayed diagnosis within her family and stressing the need to address gender disparities in bladder cancer. She also highlighted the progress achieved under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and called for bladder cancer to receive the same level of policy attention as other major cancers.

Bringing the perspective of EU research and innovation, Annika Nowak, Head of Sector for the Cancer Mission Secretariat at the European Commission, explained how the EU Cancer Mission and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan work hand in hand to foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and patients. She described how national mission hubs are being established across Europe to bridge EU-funded research and national implementation, and how citizen engagement, including through the Young Cancer Survivors Dialogue, is shaping future cancer research priorities.

Together, the speakers demonstrated that real progress in bladder cancer policy will depend on collaboration, across sectors, disciplines, and borders. From early detection and access to innovation to gender equity and patient participation, this session underscored that advancing bladder cancer care is a shared responsibility.