BCLEAR at EAU26: WBCPC highlights the importance of shared decision-making in bladder cancer care

At the European Association of Urology Congress 2026 (EAU26), we participated in the session “BCLEAR: Shared Decisions, Stronger Care in Bladder Cancer – Addressing Clinician Needs Across Europe”. The session brought together clinicians, primary care representatives and patient advocates to discuss how shared decision-making can be strengthened across the bladder cancer care pathway.

During the session, WBCPC Executive Director Alex Filicevas, presented insights from the Global Bladder Cancer Patient and Carer Survey, which collected responses from around 1,200 patients and carers across 45 countries. The findings highlighted important gaps in how treatment options and their impact are communicated to patients. As Alex explained during the discussion:

Melanie Costin, Director of Patient Engagement and Support at Fight Bladder Cancer in the UK, added reflections from lived experience and patient support work. She emphasised that the quality of communication between patients and healthcare professionals plays a crucial role in how confident people feel when making decisions about their care. Clear language, time to process information and access to reliable support and information can help patients better understand their options and participate more meaningfully in discussions about treatment.

The session was organised as part of the BCLEAR project, which aims to improve health literacy in bladder cancer and support shared decision-making across Europe. Alongside WBCPC, the panel included representatives from WONCA Europe, the Polish Urological Association (PTU), the Hellenic Urological Association (HUA) and the Hungarian Society of Urologists (HUS), reflecting the project’s collaborative approach between patient organisations, primary care and specialist healthcare professionals.

Through its work within the BCLEAR project, WBCPC continues to collaborate with partners across Europe to develop tools and resources that support clearer communication and more informed decision-making for people affected by bladder cancer.

Learn more about the BCLEAR project on the BCLEAR website and follow BCLEAR on LinkedIn and X to stay updated on new resources and project developments.