New JANE-2 publication highlights European efforts to integrate palliative care into cancer care
A new paper from the EU Joint Action JANE-2, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, highlights how palliative care can be integrated more systematically into cancer care systems across Europe.
New JANE-2 publication highlights European efforts to integrate palliative care into cancer care
A new paper from the EU Joint Action JANE-2, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, highlights how palliative care can be integrated more systematically into cancer care systems across Europe. The paper presents the work of the JANE-2 Network of Expertise in Palliative Care (Work Package 6), led by Oslo University Hospital / PRC in collaboration with European partners.
Across Europe, palliative care is still often introduced too late and remains unevenly integrated into oncology services. The paper argues that palliative care should not be understood only as end-of-life care, but as a needs-based and integrated part of cancer care throughout the disease trajectory. When integrated early and tailored to individual needs, palliative care can improve quality of life, support decision-making, reduce unnecessary hospitalisations, and contribute to better use of healthcare resources.
The publication presents a European framework and a system-level approach to support implementation across countries. Within JANE-2 WP6, this work is organised around four main areas: development of a shared framework for integrated palliative care, digitalised care pathways including patient-reported outcomes, education and competence development, and indicators to monitor whether integration is taking place in practice.
The overall aim is to support timely, needs-based palliative care as a standard component of cancer care across Europe, in line with broader European efforts under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
For PRC, the publication also reflects how palliative care research can contribute not only with clinical evidence, but also with implementation, system development, and sustainable European collaboration.
“EU Joint Action: Integrating Palliative Care in the EU Cancer Agenda: Insights From JANE-2” is available in theJournal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Contact: Stein Kaasa, WP6 Lead, JANE-2 / PRC, Oslo University Hospital: stein.kaasa@medisin.uio.no
WP6 Coordination: Line Foss foslin@ous-hf.no and Barry Laird b.j.a.laird@medisin.uio.no