Updated Call to Action published by Mission Early
Mission Early has shared the latest version of its Call to Action for Better Early Cancer Care, including additional signatories.
The document calls on governments and policymakers to fully embed early cancer care into policy frameworks at global, regional and national level. This includes strengthening early detection, diagnosis and timely treatment within National Cancer Control Plans and other strategic initiatives.
Why early cancer care matters
Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes. For lung cancer, five-year survival is around 65% when diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared with 5% at the most advanced stage.
Mission Early argues that while milestone policies such as Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and updated screening recommendations are important steps, further action is needed to ensure consistent implementation across countries.
Key recommendations
The Call to Action highlights the need to:
Integrate early cancer care explicitly within National Cancer Control Plans
Update clinical guidelines to reflect diagnostic innovations
Monitor screening performance and diagnosis practices using high-quality data
Define clear timeframes from diagnosis to first treatment
Ensure regulatory and reimbursement processes support timely access
For lung cancer in particular, progress on screening, early diagnosis and rapid treatment pathways remains uneven across Europe.
The updated Call to Action reinforces the importance of coordinated policy efforts to improve early cancer care and reduce inequalities.