WBCPC at the European Patients’ Forum Congress 2025: Highlighting the importance of patient voice in shaping future healthcare

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition attended the European Patients’ Forum (EPF) Congress 2025, held on November 26-27, in Brussels. The congress brought together patient organisations, health experts, policymakers, and industry representatives to explore how healthcare systems can become more resilient, inclusive, and patient-centred.

Under the theme Shaping the Future of Healthcare, the congress hosted a range of workshops examining how European health systems can become more prepared, resilient, and inclusive. Among these, we attended the session exploring the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, which focused on how funding can continue to support prevention, cancer research, and patient services, even in changing economic conditions. We also joined the workshop on equity and solidarity in cross border health crises, which discussed how disruptions can reduce access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and support, particularly for less recognised conditions. Across both sessions, the need to invest in early detection, personalised care, and strong patient-centred services was widely acknowledged as essential to building fair and resilient health systems.

These discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening patient advocacy groups, which play a key role in ensuring that the realities of people living with cancer are properly reflected in policy and system planning. For bladder cancer, this remains especially important. The disease is often less visible in wider cancer dialogues, making strong and well-supported advocacy essential to bring attention to early diagnosis challenges, limited awareness, and the need for long term patient support. A more empowered patient community is critical to ensure that these issues are recognised and addressed within future healthcare policies and initiatives.

Our attendance at the EPF Congress helped bring visibility to bladder cancer and offered an opportunity to listen, connect, and exchange perspectives with other patient advocates. By engaging in these discussions, we continue to support efforts to build health systems in Europe that are prepared, resilient, and genuinely patient-centred.