Copenhagen Legacy: Bridging Best Practices in Women's Cancer

The ESGO Legacy is a new initiative focused on leveraging the expertise of ESGO and the Congress host country to foster knowledge-sharing and long-lasting improvements in women’s cancer care policy and practice.

The ESGO Legacy Project is a high-level, focused knowledge-sharing initiative designed to leverage the expertise of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and the ESGO annual Congress host nation, to drive immediate and lasting improvements in women's cancer care policy and practice.

Recognising a global trend among major medical societies to create actionable, long-term impact beyond their meetings, ESGO is committed to leading this movement, ensuring the society is at the forefront of driving political change and systemic healthcare reform. This event facilitates a reciprocal exchange of best practices between ESGO and the Danish healthcare system, culminating in concrete proposals for policy and systemic change at both national (Danish) and pan-European levels.

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The Legacy Event is by special invitation only due to limited capacity, ensuring a focused and meaningful experience for all attendees.

It will be divided into two parts:

1. Centralisation of Care:

Denmark will share its proven success story in centralisation of care, focusing on data-driven models, cancer patient pathways, and the impact of centralisation on survival rates and quality of life. The mission is to establish a blueprint and a joint call to action for other EU nations, supported by ESGO.

 

Preliminary programme:

    1. Welcome and introduction
    2. Patient perspective
    3. Centralisation of cancer treatment in the Danish healthcare system
    4. The Danish gynaecological cancer database
    5. From quality indicators and guidelines to a network of Centres of Excellence for women's health
    6. Interactive discussion

2. Importance of Equal and Timely Access to Novel Oncological Therapies in Gynaecological Oncology

ESGO experts will address the critical challenge of equal and timely access to novel oncological therapies within Denmark. By presenting successful European models and engaging Danish and EU politicians, the session aims to generate actionable outcomes for improving regulatory timelines, transparency, and reimbursement structures in Denmark.


Preliminary programme:

    1. Challenges identified in Denmark
    2. A Danish patient perspective
    3. Timely implementation of new therapies in gynaecological oncology – the German Model
    4. Danish Medicines Council perspective
    5. How politicians can help ensure timely access to new therapies in Denmark – Danish and EU perspectives
    6. Interactive discussion
    7. Conclusions and future perspectives

Event details:

  • Event: ESGO 2026 Legacy
  • Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
  • Time: 09:00 – 11:00
    (followed by a Press Conference)
  • Location: Bella Centre, Copenhagen

This event is supported by the Copenhagen Legacy Lab

Event participants:

The event will draw on the expertise of Key Opinion Leaders and Gynaecological Oncologists who will cover the topics from diverse and necessary perspectives, including:

  • Clinical: Leading Gynaecological Oncologists and Surgeons
  • Policy: Ministers, EU Parliament Members, and Regulatory Bodies
  • Data & Research: Database Experts and Academics
  • Patient Advocacy: Representatives from patient network (ENGAGe)

Project goals:

The ultimate goal is to generate a sustainable legacy beyond the congress itself by uniting national societies, patient advocates, policymakers, and key opinion leaders to implement tangible improvements that ensure all women have timely, equal, and comprehensive access to the best available cancer treatments.