Mission and Vision

Mission

The mission of Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE) is to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer in European populations through prevention and earlier detection of the disease. This will be accomplished through (1) research into optimizing the implementation of known preventive strategies, (2) the dissemination of established best practices in prevention, in order to see innovative research translated into effective cancer prevention guidelines and policies nationally and internationally, and (3) research into the identification of novel targets for prevention.

Core objectives of CPE’s mission

  1. Propose an agenda for future cancer prevention research activity at a European level through advocacy within relevant European Union (EU) bodies, EU Member States, non-EU European countries, professional organizations, cancer and public health institutes, research sponsors, advocacy groups, civil society, charities, and patient groups.
  2. Provide overviews and guidance on the state of the art regarding cancer prevention, on research currently in progress within Europe, and on research priorities for the future.
  3. Develop, define, and conduct pan-European high-quality research projects involving the participation of CPE and other partners and where added value is provided through international, multicentre collaboration and sharing resources under the principles of Open Science.
  4. Positively influence investment in cancer prevention research from the EU and non-EU countries, government bodies, and nongovernmental organizations.
  5. Establish a European Knowledge Hub on Cancer Prevention, including a repository of experiences, to promote rapid dissemination of best practices in cancer prevention, expansion of evidence evaluation activities, and definition of unanswered questions that require research investment.
  6. Facilitate the development of broad-based, multidisciplinary training and education in cancer prevention research.

Vision

Cancer Prevention Europe will be broad in scope, covering a spectrum of research from policy research through to development of novel medical preventive agents. All aspects of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention will be encompassed, and emphasis will also be placed on the research evaluation and advocacy dimensions of the prevention agenda. A core component of CPE will be economic evaluation of the cost–effectiveness of different interventions, in relation to costs of treatment, care, and productivity loss.

Areas of activity for CPE could include (1) research into optimizing the implementation of known preventive strategies, (2) dissemination and research translation to inform policy and practice, and (3) research into the identification of novel target interventions for prevention. Specific research topics for CPE may include the following: cancer registration, cancer etiology (including recurrence), development and evaluation of preventive interventions, and implementation research to maximize the effectiveness of intervention programmes. These activities will be supported by a range of platforms, networks, and infrastructures and draw together a wide network of partners. Training and capacity-building will be integral to the CPE initiative.