Session 8

Boosting mental health of young cancer survivors

What can we do to improve quality of life after cancer?

Organised by European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD)

Deteriorating mental health and quality of life are affecting more and more citizens, including cancer survivors. The EU Mission on Cancer has set the very ambitious target to improve the lives of more than three million people by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is not only crucial to enhance cancer prevention and treatment but also to improve the quality of life and mental health of cancer patients and survivors, as well as their families. This requires significant societal changes because there is currently a lack of understanding of cancer patient needs, their quality of life challenges, and mental health difficulties.

Support needs are high, and new approaches and additional efforts are required in future to ensure quality psychosocial support during and after treatment, when late effects become apparent that impact survivors’ lives, such as fatigue, chronic pain, and infertility. For young cancer survivors, the most important issues faced are related to education and career development, body image, sexuality, relationships, fertility counselling, and alcohol/substance abuse.

Join our panel to explore different approaches to improve the mental health and quality of life of young cancer survivors.