European Code Against Cancer

The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) is an initiative of the European Commission to inform people about key actions they can take for themselves or their families to reduce their risk of cancer and its consequences. ECAC was first launched in 1987. The current 4th edition (ECAC4) was published in 2014 and consists of 12 recommendations that most people can follow without any special skills or advice. The more recommendations people follow, the lower their risk of cancer will be. It has been estimated that almost half of all deaths due to cancer in Europe could be avoided if everyone followed the recommendations.

The adoption of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan in 2021 confirmed that IARC would retain the mandate to provide the scientific coordination for the 5th edition of ECAC (ECAC5). The project to develop ECAC5 began in 2022, with the target of launching ECAC5 by 2025. ECAC5 is the first update of ECAC that will be produced under the World Code Against Cancer Framework.

This page includes information on the ECAC5 project and legacy materials related to ECAC4.

European Code Against Cancer, 4th edition (ECAC4)

Online training programme

The Cancer Prevention Europe consortium, together with IARC, has produced a multilingual online programme on primary and secondary prevention of cancer.

The first set is a 3-hour course featuring 13 self-paced modules on the 12 recommendations of the 4th edition of the European Code Against Cancer and its methodology. The second set, which is a 2-hour course, contains 12 self-paced modules on the latest evidence on cancer prevention since the publication of the 4th edition of the European Code Against Cancer. These modules also provide clarification on myths and controversies around the topics addressed in the European Code Against Cancer.

This learning programme is primarily targeted to managers of cancer leagues, cancer prevention advocates, and health promoters. The modules are currently available in English, French, German, Hungarian, Polish and Spanish.

These resources can be found in the Cancer Prevention Europe Learning Centre, which is hosted on the IARC Learning portal.

European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5)

The ECAC5 project officially began in July 2022 and will last for 4 years. The main objective is to develop the 5th edition of ECAC, taking into account the latest scientific developments, evidence, and communication. The project to develop ECAC5 will involve about 80 regional experts distributed in 5 working groups, the Scientific Committee, the Advocacy Group, and the IARC Secretariat in a multidisciplinary collaborative effort (see Partners, below).

Further details on the ECAC5 project will appear on this page as the project progresses. This project is running in parallel with and is collaborating closely with the BUMPER project, which is supporting the development of the EU Mobile App for Cancer Prevention. The BUMPER project is coordinated by the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL).

Partners

The Coordination Group for Development and Maintenance is composed of:

  • Secretariat:
    - Joachim Schüz (Co-Principal Investigator), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - Carolina Espina (Co-Principal Investigator), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - David Ritchie (Project Manager), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - André Carvalho (Senior Advisor), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)

 

  • Support to the Secretariat:
    - Adriana Feliu (Postdoctoral Scientist), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - Eric D'Souza (Postdoctoral Scientist), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - Hajo Zeeb (Senior Visiting Scientist), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
    - Catherine Chassin (Secretary), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)

 

  • Chairs of the Experts Working Groups:
    - Elio Riboli (Working Group 1: Lifestyles Determinants), Imperial College London
    - Hans Kromhout (Working Group 2: Environmental and Occupational Determinants), Utrecht University
    - Silvia Franceschi (Working Group 3: Infections), Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO)
    - Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar (Working Group 4: Medical Interventions), Erasmus University Medical Center
    - Dame Theresa Marteau (Working Group 5: Communication and Health Literacy), University of Cambridge

 

  • Representative of the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF):
    - Giota Mitrou (Senior Advisor), World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF)
    - Helen Croker (alternate), World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF)

 

Funders:
European Commission - ECAC5 has received funding from the EU4Health programme under Grant Agreement No. 101075240

ec.europa.eu/info/index_en

International Agency for Research on Cancer

www.iarc.who.int

Cancer Prevention Europe

cancerpreventioneurope.iarc.fr