Launch of the revised European Standards of Care for Children and Adolescents with Cancer: Driving change across Europe
Childhood Cancer International – Europe (CCI Europe) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) are proud to announce the release of the revised European Standards of Care for Children and Adolescents with Cancer, a milestone in advancing childhood cancer care across Europe. These updated Standards aim to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for all children diagnosed with cancer, regardless of where they live in Europe.
First published in 2008, the European Standards of Care were the first evidence-based framework to ensure that every child and young person with cancer in Europe could access specialised, high-quality care. More than 15 years later, with new scientific knowledge and evolving realities for families, the Standards have been thoroughly revised to reflect today’s needs in paediatric oncology.
The updated Standards are the result of a four-year collaboration involving 45 patient advocates and healthcare professionals from 22 countries across Europe. They collaborated in specialised working groups to review and update each chapter, ensuring the Standards reflect the latest evidence and best practices. The revised document addresses not only medical treatment, but also supportive care, psychosocial support, rehabilitation, survivorship, and equitable access to innovative therapies. By defining clear requirements for multidisciplinary teams, facilities, and care pathways, the Standards provide a roadmap for healthcare systems to deliver high-quality care to all children and adolescents with cancer.
The Standards comprise 11 chapters, each co-authored by a senior paediatric oncologist, a young professional, and a patient advocate from CCI Europe. This approach ensured that both medical and human aspects of care are fully represented, grounded in evidence and lived experience. The chapters included are:
- Setup of Paediatric Oncology Units
- Treatment Delivery and Care
- Psychosocial Care
- Supportive Care
- Paediatric Palliative Care
- Survivorship Care and Transition Practices
- Role of Patient Representatives and Advocates
- National Organisation of Networks among Paediatric Oncology Centres
- Paediatric Oncology on a National Level
- Cross-border Care and Research
- Education and Training in Paediatric Oncology
“The European Standards of Care were developed through close collaboration between patient representatives and healthcare professionals, ensuring a holistic approach to childhood cancer care,” said Anita Kienesberger, Chair of the CCI Europe Committee.
Uta Dirksen, President of SIOPE, added: “Despite significant progress in treatment and survival, disparities in access to high-quality care persist across Europe. The updated Standards provide a timely and essential framework to address these inequalities.”
The online version of the European Standards of Care is available here, coinciding with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (Gold September). CCI Europe and SIOPE publish this whole month of September a dedicated awareness campaign to highlight the Standards and their important role in shaping the future of paediatric cancer care in Europe.
With this release, CCI Europe and SIOPE call on policymakers, healthcare providers, and patient organisations to adopt and implement these Standards, ensuring that
every child and adolescent with cancer receives the best possible care.
ABOUT CCI EUROPE AND SIOP EUROPE
Childhood Cancer International – Europe
Childhood Cancer International – Europe (CCI-E, or CCI Europe) represents childhood cancer parent and survivor groups as well as other childhood cancer organisations in Europe: more than 63 organisations in 34 European countries are members of CCI-E. CCI Europe works together with all relevant stakeholders for the same goal: to help everyone affected by childhood cancer thrive, free from lasting impact. (www.ccieurope.eu)
European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE)
The European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE, or SIOP Europe) is the single united European organisation representing all professionals working in the field of childhood cancers. With more than 2,700 members across 36 countries, SIOP Europe is leading the way to ensure the best possible care and outcomes for all children and adolescents with cancer in Europe (www.siope.eu)