Health of the Future: Prevention and Education Strategies for a Better Tomorrow – Roundtable Meeting

Breast Cancer Prevention in Poland – How to Change Alarming Statistics?

Did you know that Poland ranks among the highest in the European Union for breast cancer mortality? According to data, there are as many as 41.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, placing us alongside Cyprus (45.1) and Slovakia (44.9) at the top of this unfortunate ranking.

Early diagnosis is just the beginning

Healthcare systems should focus on prevention and early detection of diseases. However, this is only the first step — access to modern treatment methods is equally crucial. Innovative therapies increase patients’ chances of longer survival and improve the functioning of the entire healthcare system.

According to an OECD report, adapting screening and oncology care in Poland to the highest standards could prevent up to one-third of premature cancer deaths. Moreover, improving survival rates would extend the average life expectancy by 9 months and add 9,300 full-time workers to the labor market.

How to effectively implement prevention in Poland?

We discussed which strategies work best in countries with high prevention success rates and how to adapt them to the Polish system during a high-level roundtable titled “Health of the Future: Prevention and Education Strategies for a Better Tomorrow.” The event was organized by the Institute for Innovation and Responsible Development (INNOWO) in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy in Poland, under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the EU.

Participants included, among others:

• 🩺 Urszula Demkow – Deputy Minister of Health

• 🏛 Dr. hab. Łukasz Balwicki – Senator

• ⚕️ Beata Małecka-Libera – Senator

As well as Dominik Olejniczak, Irma Veberič, Padraic Ward, Monique Clúa Braun, Marzanna Bieńkowska, Anna Kupiecka, Aleksandra Wilk, and other key stakeholders.

The discussion was opened by special guests Michele Cecchini (OECD) and Dr. hab. Paweł Koczkodaj from the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology.

Main discussion topics:

✅ The most effective prevention strategies worldwide — which models can be implemented in Poland?

✅ How to improve communication with patients? — the role of patient organizations and experts in increasing participation in preventive programs.

✅ Collaboration between business and the public sector — what actions can genuinely improve the effectiveness of prevention programs?

✅ The biggest barriers to patient engagement — how can different stakeholders jointly overcome them?

✅ Digital technologies, AI, and innovation — how can modern tools improve prevention and broaden its reach?

✅ Changes in health policy — what regulations and incentives can effectively engage business and patients?

✅ Long-term patient engagement — how to design prevention programs that not only attract participants but also keep them active?

We strongly believe that collaborative action among experts, decision-makers, and organizations is essential for meaningful progress in cancer prevention in Poland.