European week against the Cancer – May 2026
Cancer continues to affect thousands of people across Europe every year. 1.3 million people died of it in 2022 alone, becoming the leading cause of death among those under 65 in Europe.
In the workplace, every year are produced in the EU 120,000 cases of cancer related to the work, and as a consequence of the exhibition to carcinogens as the silica, hardwoods, smokes diésel or the asbestos, pass away 80,000 people a year.
One week for action
The European Week against the Cancer (EWAC), celebrated every year between on 25 and 31 May, is an initiative led by the Association of European Leagues against the Cancer (ECL), an event that in this edition, under the slogan “Together against inequalities in the cancer” it expects to raise awareness and to sensitise on the importance of finishing with inequalities in the access to the prevention, the early detection, the processing and the attention for all the people.
Cancer causes 1 in 4 deaths in the European Union. But the good news is that 40% of cancer cases in Europe are preventable. 25 May is dedicated to primary prevention.
European Code Against Cancer
What if cancer prevention could begin with simple, everyday changes and smart policy actions?
This year marks the 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC5) which includes 14 ways to prevent cancer, aimed at individuals and policymakers. This edition of European Week aims to help spread the word about ECAC5.