European Code Against Cancer 5th edition: 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Despite the growing cancer burden in the European Union, public awareness of effective prevention is low. In response, Europe's Beating Cancer Plan has supported the development of the 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC5). Using a transparent, stepwise decision-making process, around 80 experts reviewed the latest scientific evidence on cancer prevention and used modern communication strategies to update the previous edition. An innovation in ECAC5 is the inclusion of population-level recommendations, aiming to structurally influence the systems that shape individual choices and improve environmental conditions to which all citizens are involuntarily exposed. ECAC5 includes 14 actionable, evidence-based recommendations for individuals to reduce their cancer risk alongside their respective policy recommendations. All are presented through equity lens, with attention to co-benefits for preventing other non-communicable diseases and tailoring messages to diverse audiences. Clear evidence-based statements on cancer risks factors and effective preventive interventions will empower citizens to make healthier choices, call policymakers to act, foster public support for effective policies, and contribute to more effective cancer prevention.
Authors: Carolina Espina, David Ritchie, Elio Riboli, Hans Kromhout, Silvia Franceschi, Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar, Theresa M. Marteau, Ioanna Bakogianni, Nadia Vilahur, Catherina J. Alberts, Urska Ivanus, Ariadna Feliu, Erica D'Souza, Hajo Zeeb, Giota Mitrou, Tit Albreht, Joakim Dillner, Jérôme Foucaud, Marta Manczuk, Jose María Martin-Moreno, Rene H. Medema, Deirdre Murray, Peter Nagy, Florian Nicula, Mary Nyangasi, Karen Steindorf, Anne Tjønneland, Michele Cecchini, Marilys Corbex, Magdalena Stepien, Wendy Yared, André L. Carvalho, Joachim Schüz, Elio Riboli, Ioanna Bakogianni, Sherry Morris, Annie Anderson, Linda Bauld, Esteve Fernandes, Michael Leitzmann, Bernard Srour, Ioana Vlad, Constantine Vardavas, Sabine Vuik, Matty Weijenberg, Hans Kromhout, Nadia Vilahur, Sylvia Jochems, Maria Albin, Isabelle Baldi, Dario Consonni, Quentin Crowley, Béatrice Fervers, Rüdiger Greinert, Gerard Hoek, Martin Röösli, Martie van Tongeren, Silvia Franceschi, Nienke Alberts, Paul Bloem, Sophie Grabar, Marcis Leja, Peter Malfertheiner, Mojca Matičič, Francis Mégraud, Francisco Negro, Martyn Plummer, Maarten Schim van der Loeff, Silvia de Sanjosé, Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar, Urska Ivanus, Esther Toes-Zoutendijk, Marc Arbyn, Anssi Auvinen, David Baldwin, Xavier Castells, Andrea De Censi, Solveig Hofvind, Carlo Senore, Mangesh Thorat, Carlijn van der Aalst, Theresa Marteau, Eleni Mantzari, Alina Bârgăoanu, Kathelijne Bessems, Janne Bigaard, Kate Brain, Cristiana Fonseca, Ulrike Helbig, Pawel Koczkodaj, Dafina Petrova, Violaine Roggeri, Milka Sokolović
Institutions: Centre international de recherche sur le cancer, Imperial College London, Utrecht University, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Erasmus MC, University of Cambridge, Joint Research Centre, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, GGD Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, University of Bremen, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, World Cancer Research Fund International, University of Ljubljana, National Institute of Public Health, European Public Health Association, Karolinska Institutet, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Institut National du Cancer, The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Universitat de València, Princess Máxima Center, University College Cork, National Cancer Registry, Semmelweis University, University of Debrecen, National Institute of Oncology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Oncology Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, World Health Organization, German Cancer Research Center, Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, European Commission, Joint Research Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,930
Awards: G2872175397, G579810418
OpenAlex ID: W7125529936