On the occasion of World Cancer Day on February 4th, the European Commission has presented an updated version of the European Code Against Cancer. The date also marked the 5th anniversary of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Moreover, just two months earlier, on December 16th, the Commission launched the Safe Hearts Plan to tackle cardiovascular disease. Together, these initiatives represent a key moment in strengthening EU’s health agenda.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is the European strategy to reduce the cancer burden across Europe. It was adopted in 2021 by the European Commission as part of a broader effort to build a stronger European Health Union, and it is one of the EU’s most ambitious public health initiatives. In fact, under the Plan more than €2.7 billion has been invested in four main areas of action, which are: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU, with around 2.6 million new diagnoses and 1.2 million deaths each year. Furthermore, research indicates that up to 40% of cases could be prevented by applying existing knowledge and preventive measures. Yet currently, only 3% of health budgets are allocated to health promotion and disease prevention. Therefore, the potential for action is substantial.
European Code Against Cancer
The European Code Against Cancer is an initiative of the European Commission, launched as a first edition in 1987. The 5th edition of 2026, commissioned to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, consists of 14 recommendations to prevent cancer. These suggestions are evidenced-based and include both personal behavioural factors, environmental factors, and medical interventions:
- Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco, or vaping products
- Avoid exposure to other people’s tobacco smoke
- Take action to avoid or manage overweight and obesity
- Be physically active in everyday life. Limit the time you spend sitting
- Eat whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits as a major part of your daily diet. Limit red meat, and avoid processed meat
- Avoid alcoholic drinks
- Breastfeed your baby for as long as possible
- Avoid too much sun exposure, especially for children. Use sun protection. Never use sunbeds
- Inform yourself about cancer-causing factors at work, and call on your employer to protect you against them. Always follow health and safety instructions at your workplace
- Inform yourself about radon gas levels in your area by checking a local radon map. Seek professional help to measure levels in your home and, if necessary, reduce them
- Take action to reduce exposure to air pollution
- Vaccinate girls and boys against hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus (HPV). Take part in testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Helicobacter pylori
- If you decide to use hormone replacement therapy (for menopausal symptoms) after a thorough discussion with your health-care professional, limit its use to the shortest duration possible
- Take part in organized cancer screening programmes
Safe Hearts Plan
Cardiovascular diseases, are Europe’s number 1 killer, claiming 1.7 million lives each year. For this reason, on December 16th the Commission has unveiled the Safe Hearts Plan.
The Plan was also introduced under the framework of the European Health Union, and focuses on three pillars: prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and long-term care. In other words, the Safe Hearts Plan sets out a Europe-wide framework to prevent, detect and treat cardiovascular disease, focusing on the entire patient pathway, from risk factors and early screening to high-quality care and rehabilitation, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
At the heart of the Safe Hearts Plan is the goal of reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 25% by 2035. To reach this target, the Commission plans to substantially expand access to regular health screenings, including more frequent blood pressure checks and systematic monitoring of cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Focus on Prevention Strategy
Together, the progress of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the launch of the Safe Hearts Plan mark a significant step in the EU’s fight against non-communicable diseases. Moreover, these initiatives reflect the broader ambition to strengthen the European Health Union by placing prevention at the centre of health policy.
In fact, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has increasingly focused on building more resilient health systems, reducing inequalities between Member States and tackling the root causes of non-communicable diseases. By aligning cancer control and cardiovascular prevention efforts, the Commission is marking a long-term shift toward proactive, coordinated action that promotes healthier lifestyles, enables earlier diagnosis and supports sustainable healthcare systems across Europe.
In addition, the financial dimension further underscores the urgency of this approach: cancer carries an estimated annual economic burden of €100 billion in Europe, while cardiovascular diseases cost the EU more than €282 billion each year in healthcare expenditure and lost productivity. Therefore, strengthening preventive strategies is not only a public health imperative but also a strategic investment in Europe’s long-term economic resilience.