This guide is based on public guidance from European cancer institutes and public health authorities, written in plain language.
This study aimed to assess cancer prevention literacy (CPL) levels and awareness of the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) among the adult population in the European Union (EU), as well as identify social determinants associated with CPL.
Health literacy is a key determinant of health, shaping individuals ability to understand and act on health information. Low cancer literacy is associated with fatalistic beliefs and reduced participation in prevention and screening programmes. Although around 40% of all cancers are preventable, public awareness of modifiable risk factors remains low. The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC), developed under the World Code Against Cancer Framework, aims to strengthen prevention knowledge; however, tools to measure cancer prevention literacy, and therefore evaluate its impact, are lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess ‘cancer prevention literacy’ in adults from the general population.
Health literacy (HL) refers to the cognitive and social abilities that are determinants in the motivation and capacity of the individual to access, understand and use information for the care of one’s own health. In oncology, increased survival, navigation of the healthcare system, the many different forms of treatment and the management of adverse effects/outcomes make HL a critical factor in patient care. The objective of this study is to identify the structure, content and effectiveness of interventions to improve HL in cancer patients.
To address the challenges of self-care in oncology, gamification emerges as an innovative strategy to enhance health literacy and self-care among individuals with oncological disease. This study aims to explore and map how gamification can promote health literacy for self-care of oncological diseases.
Cancer care, from prevention and early detection to treatment and supportive care, remains a key European public health priority. Organised screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer are central to reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality, alongside growing interest in lung and prostate cancer screening. Meanwhile, the rising number of cancer survivors highlights the need for accessible information on quality-of-life issues, including sexuality and intimacy. This report synthesises national desk research from Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania, identifying gaps in the availability and accessibility of online cancer information.
Cancer remains a significant health challenge in Romania, with notable disparities in care access and outcomes that highlight the need for improved health and cancer literacy. This study successfully co-developed seven policy recommendations aimed at enhancing health and cancer literacy, addressing gaps in service access, caregiver support, and organizational practices to promote equitable cancer care in Romania.
