BCLEAR at the first Cancer Literacy Day: tools, training and time for shared decision-making
On October 14, 2026, the first Cancer Literacy Day brought policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals and health organisations together at the Info Hub of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Improving cancer literacy for healthcare professionals
Michael took part in the roundtable session "Improving Cancer Literacy for Healthcare Professionals", moderated by Mădălina Iamandei (All.Can). He was joined by Blanca Lumbreras Lacarra (CLEAR-PC and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche), Maria Escurriola (CGI-Clinics and IRB Barcelona), and Richard Price (European Cancer Organisation).
The session looked at what healthcare professionals need to communicate clearly with patients and to support them in making informed decisions about their care.
Initiated by the CURTAIN project and supported by a network of EU4Health and Cancer Mission projects, the multi-stakeholder dialogue explored how to improve cancer literacy for patients, healthcare professionals, and for organisations and health systems. Urologist Michael R. van Balken (Arnhem, NL) represented BCLEAR and the European Association of Urology (EAU).
When doctors and patients mean different things
Michael focused on shared decision-making (SDM), one of the central aims of BCLEAR. He noted that doctors and patients do not always mean the same thing when they talk about SDM. He asked where that gap lies, and what clinicians say they lack when it comes to putting SDM into practice.
SDM is important, Michael stressed, but it is difficult to practise from both the clinician's side and the patient's side. Some patients prefer simply to be told what to do. Some clinicians feel that the decision is theirs to make, reflecting cultural differences across Europe.
The three T's: tools, training and time
Why is SDM not yet working in everyday practice? Michael summed up what is missing for both clinicians and patients in three T's:
- Tools that support clear, structured conversations about treatment options
- Training for healthcare professionals in how to practise SDM
- Time in consultations to make those conversations possible
On time, his message to policymakers was clear. Policy should aim to create more time for patients, and that time should be spent with the patient, not used to see more patients.
How BCLEAR is responding
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Europe, yet awareness remains low. For many people, this means warning signs such as blood in the urine go unrecognised and diagnosis comes later than it should. Clear information and good conversations with healthcare professionals can help people affected by bladder cancer, and their carers, take an active part in decisions about their care.
BCLEAR is working on the first two T's. The consortium is developing health literacy tools for patients, and a toolkit and training for healthcare professionals, to support SDM, clear communication and self-management. Pilot activities will take place in Greece, Hungary and Poland before a potential wider rollout.
The conversation continues on May 13, 2027, with Bladder Cancer Health Literacy Day. Updates on project milestones, publications and events will be shared on the BCLEAR page.