Analytical report 2026 | ECIR - European Cancer Inequalities Registry

Delivering High Value Cancer Care

Overview

This video tells about the report “Delivering High Value Cancer Care”, that can be found below in this page in the downloads section. This video shows different, general scenes from a hospital, where patients are having treatments, operations or doctors are diagnosing the illness. This video is playing with no audio. Insights from the Cancer Inequalities Registry 2026 Analytical Cancer Report. Since 2000, new cases of cancer in the EU have surged by 30% and per capita cancer health spending for the total population will increase by 59% by 2050. More young women are being diagnosed with cancer, and the numbers are rising quickly. Diagnosis when young means patients face more years of treatment and monitoring while health and social support systems come under growing strain. Already, pressures on the system lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. 1 in 3 lung cancers are detected via the emergency room, and 4 in 10 colorectal cancers remain untreated 30 days after diagnosis. Where you live also shapes the type and quality of care you receive. In some EU countries, less than 2% of colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery die within 30 days in others more than 5% die after the procedure. The need for high value cancer care has never been greater. This means: 1. Establishing and monitoring cancer care in a way that promotes timely, coordinated diagnosis and treatment; 2. Shifting care out of hospitals, reducing low-value procedures, and introducing innovations in screening and treatment; 3. Prioritising people-centred care and providing comprehensive palliative, psychological, social and financial support. Learn more in our latest publication. Delivering High Value Cancer Care: European Cancer Inequalities Registry Analytical Report. This video was funded by the European Union and created by OECD: Better Policies for Better Lives

Key messages from the Analytical report 2026.

The EU Analytical Reports are a key milestone of the European Cancer Inequalities Registry (ECIR), prepared in collaboration with the OECD. They provide a horizontal analysis of the situation on cancer care across the EU 27, Norway and Iceland.

This second edition of the EU Analytical Report focuses on “Delivering High Value Cancer Care” and complements the Country Cancer Profiles 2025, thereby completing the second reporting cycle of ECIR. The report provides fresh analyses and cross-country policy perspectives on timely access to care, providing efficient and evidence-based care, and patient-centred approaches to improve cancer patients’ health outcomes and quality of life.

Key messages

New cases of cancer are on the rise, especially for younger women.

Evolution of cancer incidence rate per 100 000 people (age-standardised)

Map describing cancer mortality rates across countries

Source: OECD (2026), Delivering High Value Cancer Care.

Between 2000 and 2022, cancer incidence rates across EU countries rose by 10% in women and 2% in men, although rates remain much higher among men. They grew particularly fast among women aged 15-49 (by 16%).