European Liver Patients' Association

ELPA at ESMO Congress 2026: Strengthening the Patient Voice in Cancer Care**

The European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA) was represented by our Vice President, Ivana Dragojević, at the ESMO Congress 2026,

Bringing together leading oncology experts, researchers, healthcare professionals and patient advocates, ESMO 2026 provided an important platform for discussing advances in cancer research, innovative treatments, equitable access to care and the evolving role of patients in healthcare decision-making.

For ELPA, these discussions are particularly relevant to liver cancer, where prevention, early detection, timely diagnosis, access to innovative therapies and quality of life remain essential priorities.

We believe that meaningful patient involvement is fundamental to shaping better cancer care — from clinical research and treatment decisions to healthcare policies and equitable access across Europe.

Patients must not only have a seat at the table. Their voices must be heard and translated into action.

Through continued engagement with the European oncology community, ELPA remains committed to ensuring that the needs and experiences of people affected by liver cancer and other liver diseases are reflected in the future of cancer care.

Together, we can advance more inclusive, equitable and patient-centred healthcare.

#ELPA #ESMO2026 #LiverCancer #HCC #PatientAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity #PatientVoice #LiverHealth

🎃💚💜 OCTOBER ENDS. OUR MISSION CONTINUES!

🇪🇺 #LiverCancerAwarenessMonth 2026 | Global #PSCDay | #Halloween

October may be over, but our commitment to liver health, prevention, early detection and better patient care never stops!

🎗️ Throughout October, ELPA – European Liver Patients’ Association continued raising awareness about liver cancer, rare liver diseases and the importance of recognising risks before they become life-threatening.

From Liver Cancer Awareness Month** to Global PSC Day, and even Halloween, October reminds us that while some fears disappear when the lights come on, the challenges faced by people living with liver diseases remain very real.

🔬 UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS. PREVENTING LIVER CANCER.

Liver cancer does not develop in isolation. Prevention starts with recognising and addressing the underlying conditions and risk factors:

🟢 #MASLD & #MASH – Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and steatohepatitis, closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic dysfunction.

🟠 #Obesity & metabolic health – Understanding the connections between excess weight, insulin resistance, liver disease and cardiovascular risk.

🔴 #Alcohol-related liver disease – Promoting prevention, early identification and access to treatment and support.

🦠Viral #hepatitis B, C & D – Expanding testing, vaccination where available, treatment and long-term follow-up to reduce liver cancer risk.

💜 Rare liver diseases, including PBC, PSC.. – Raising awareness of complex conditions, their complications and the need for specialised, equitable care. PSC also increases the risk of certain hepatobiliary cancers.

💚 Liver transplantation – Highlighting its life-saving role for eligible patients with advanced liver disease and selected liver cancers, alongside the importance of equitable access and lifelong care.

❤️ BEYOND THE LIVER: CONNECTING THE DOTS

Liver health is deeply connected with cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health.

That is why ELPA will continue advocating for a more integrated approach to cardio-renal-hepatic-metabolic health, connecting liver disease, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, obesity and diabetes through prevention, screening, early diagnosis and coordinated care.

🇪🇺 OCTOBER IS OVER. WHAT COMES NEXT?

Our work does not end with an awareness month!

Expect much more from ELPA:

🔹 Upcoming European policy events and dialogue with decision-makers.

🔹 New awareness and prevention campaigns addressing liver cancer risk factors.

🔹 Stronger connections between liver health, cardiovascular disease and cardio-renal-hepatic-metabolic conditions.

🔹 Greater visibility for rare liver diseases, and transplantation.

🔹 Continued collaboration with researchers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and European institutions to translate science into meaningful patient benefits.

🎃🎃🎃

When transplantation is not an option, every conversation and every choice matters.

Hear from Tess from PSC Support Australia, who raises important questions about access to clinical trials, the need for effective medical treatments, and the importance of honest, transparent conversations about all aspects of care, including palliative care.

💬 Her message reminds us that patients deserve to be informed, heard and actively involved in decisions about their health and future — even when the conversations are difficult.

🌍 Different countries, shared experiences, one global voice for PSC awareness.

#PSCGlobalDay2026 #PSCawareness #PatientVoices #SharedDecisionMaking #PatientCentredCare #ELPA

Research brings hope, but access to research opportunities remains a challenge for people living with PSC.

Hear from Kerrie, President of PSC Support Australia, who highlights the challenges of securing research funding in an extremely competitive environment and the lack of clinical trial opportunities currently available to PSC patients in Australia.

💬 Her message reminds us that advancing PSC research requires sustained investment, international collaboration and equitable access to clinical trials. Every patient, regardless of where they live, deserves the opportunity to benefit from scientific progress.

🌍 Different countries, shared challenges, one global voice calling for more research and better treatment options for PSC.

#PSCGlobalDay2026 #PSCawareness #PSCResearch #ClinicalTrials #PatientAdvocacy #ELPA

Different countries. Different journeys. One global voice for PSC.🌍

What does it really mean to live with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)?

Behind every diagnosis is a person navigating uncertainty, making difficult decisions, adapting to everyday challenges and hoping for a better future.

🌍 This #PSCGlobalDay2026, we are putting patients and their lived experiences at the heart of the conversation.

🎥 Over the coming days, hear directly from patients, families and caregivers around the world as they share their personal journeys — from diagnosis and daily life to transplantation, emotional wellbeing, treatment challenges and hopes for the future.

💬 Because patients are more than their diagnosis. Their experiences matter, their needs deserve to be understood, and their voices must be heard.

Join us as we bring these voices together, raise awareness and remind the world that no one should face PSC alone.

#PSCGlobalDay2026 #PSCawareness #PatientVoices #LivingWithPSC #PatientCentredCare #GlobalPSCCommunity #ELPA #PSCaware