WBCPC participated for the first time in the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, held on November 18–20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. The invitation-only event, hosted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) , brings together leaders in cancer control from across the world to exchange ideas, shape future policy priorities and explore new opportunities for collaboration. This year’s Summit themed Bridging Divides, Building Futures, welcomed more than 400 participants,
News & Events Category: NEWS
Cancer in Africa: WBCPC Joins the AORTIC 2025 International Cancer Conference in Tunisia
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition took part in the 15th AORTIC International Conference on Cancer in Africa, held on November 2-5, 2025 in Hammamet, Tunisia. Organised by the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), the event brought together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and patient advocates from across the continent and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Advancing Cancer Care Across Africa: Equity Through Empowering Research &
WBCPC at the 45th Annual SIU Congress in Edinburgh
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) attended the 45th Annual Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU 2025) in Edinburgh, Scotland, a leading global event that brings together urologists, nurses, researchers, and patient advocates from around the world. This marks the fifth consecutive year that WBCPC has joined the SIU Congress, strengthening our role in international collaboration to improve bladder cancer care.
At our exhibition booth, we shared a wide range of patient-focused materials to help support informed care and patient involvement.
WECAN marks its 10th anniversary in Berlin
On October 18, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition joined more than 90 cancer-patient advocacy leaders in Berlin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of WECAN – the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks. The anniversary gathering recognised a decade of collaboration and capacity-building among European umbrella patient organisations.
WECAN serves as a pan-European network of more than 20 umbrella cancer patient-advocacy organisations, which together represent thousands of patient groups across the WHO Europe region.Its mission is to build trust,
GCCN leads Shared Decision-Making roundtable at ESMO 2025
On October 17, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition joined the Global Cancer Coalitions Network (GCCN) and Ipsen for a Shared Decision-Making Roundtable held ahead of the ESMO 2025 Congress in Berlin. The meeting brought together cancer coalitions, patient organisations and clinical experts to examine how shared decision-making can be better embedded in routine oncology care.
Shared decision-making is an important part of patient-centred cancer care. It ensures that patients receive clear information about their treatment options and can take part in choosing the approach that best reflects their needs and preferences.
Why EU Policy matters for patients: MEP Ondřej Dostál calls for better access and stronger prevention
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 concluded its Public Day in Brussels with closing remarks from Ondřej Dostál, Member of the European Parliament (Czechia), who delivered an insightful keynote on the role of awareness, prevention, and policy collaboration in improving outcomes for people affected by bladder cancer.
A lawyer and policymaker, Ondřej Dostál highlighted the importance of addressing the environmental and social factors that contribute to cancer incidence, stressing that prevention and early diagnosis must remain at the heart of European health policy.
Showcase of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grant Awardees
At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025, the spotlight on Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grants celebrated community-driven innovation from across four continents, showing how small awards can spark meaningful, lasting impact. With live Spanish interpretation available via Wordly, participants heard how Wisdom Zunguzungu, Fiorella Gagliardi, Óscar Rodríguez, and Charles Ogada are closing awareness gaps, mobilising local networks, and bringing vital information to those who need it most.
Meaningful patient engagement in action
At the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025, the session “Meaningful patient engagement in action” brought together a diverse panel to explore how patient voices can shape care, research, and decision-making, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a shared responsibility across all stakeholders.
Moderated by Alex Filicevas, Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, the discussion featured Christine La Rose, bladder cancer survivor and Patient Support and Advisory Leader at BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia;
Making sense of medicine access
On Public Day in Brussels, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 hosted “Making sense of medicine access,” a practical, multi-stakeholder conversation on how promising science becomes real treatment for real people. Moderated by Lauren Pretorius (Campaigning for Cancer), the session brought together Mihai Rotaru (EFPIA) and Robert Sauermann (Austrian Federation of Social Insurances) to unpack where and why access stalls, and how to fix it.
Lauren opened the session by reminding participants that innovation only matters when it reaches patients.
Patient voice in Health Technology Assessments
Patient voice in Health Technology Assessments
The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2025 in Brussels continued on Public Day with an insightful session titled “Patient voice in Health Technology Assessments (HTA).” The discussion focused on how meaningful patient involvement can improve the way new medicines, diagnostics, and technologies are evaluated—ensuring that innovation leads to real benefits for people affected by bladder cancer.
Moderated by Dr Anke-Peggy Holtorf, Board Member of HTAi (Health Technology Assessment International),
