Cancer remains one of Europe’s greatest public health challenges, affecting millions of people every year and placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems. While advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved survival for many cancers, rising incidence and growing demand for care mean continued innovation has never been more important.

This white paper explores the broader value that innovative cancer medicines deliver, not only for patients, but also for healthcare systems, society and Europe’s long-term competitiveness. Moving beyond discussions focused solely on medicine costs, it examines how pharmaceutical innovation contributes to improved survival, better quality of life, workforce productivity, economic growth and health system resilience. 

The paper also considers the challenges facing cancer innovation today. Europe is experiencing increasing competition for research and development investment, while access to new oncology medicines continues to vary across countries. At a time when regulatory and reimbursement pressures are intensifying, the paper highlights why maintaining a supportive environment for innovation is essential if future generations of patients are to benefit from the next wave of cancer therapies. 

Bringing together evidence from across policy, economics and healthcare, the report provides a comprehensive overview of cancer’s evolving burden, and the role medicines continue to play in transforming outcomes. It encourages a broader conversation about value, one that recognises the long-term benefits of investment alongside the immediate costs of treatment.

Whether you are involved in oncology, market access, policy development or healthcare strategy, this paper offers valuable insight into one of the defining healthcare challenges of our time.

Download the paper to discover how innovative cancer medicines are reshaping patient outcomes, strengthening health systems and supporting Europe’s future.