Patient involvement in European cancer societies: The example of ECCO—the European CanCer Organization

Abstract

This chapter, ‘Patient involvement in European cancer societies’, describes how an oncology healthcare professional organization, the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO), engages with patient groups. It outlines the structure established by ECCO, the Patient Advisory Committee (PAC), and how it helps ECCO realize its vision. It gives examples of the inclusion of the patient perspective in scientific congress programmes, policy papers, and events. Patient advocacy has a long history in the field of oncology. Healthcare organizations give increased emphasis to the patient experience to provide care that is of most value to patients but also an essential component of sustainable healthcare.