Reducing cancer risk through science: the evidence base behind the European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5) is described in new publications

The European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition (ECAC5) has been published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe and a special thematic issue of Molecular Oncology, which comprises 10 articles describing all the ECAC5 cancer prevention recommendations and related studies performed during the project. These publications were developed by scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in partnership with about 80 experts from leading cancer research and public health institutes in Europe.

The publication in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, titled “European Code Against Cancer 5th edition: 14 ways you can help prevent cancer”, is an overview article about the revised recommendations of the Code for the general public. It highlights key new additions, such as the recommendations for policy-makers, and includes a brief scientific justification supporting all the new and updated recommendations. The special thematic issue of Molecular Oncology, titled “European Code Against Cancer, 5th edition”, expands on the scientific evidence base for each recommendation – including the studies performed to support its development – through a mixture of policy papers, research articles, and an accompanying editorial.

IARC has also published a series of videos in which the principal investigators of the ECAC5 project and the chairs of the five working groups present the Code and explain some of the main changes and updates between the 4th and 5th editions.

Following the recommendations of the European Code Against Cancer substantially reduces a person’s individual cancer risk and could reduce the burden of cancer in the European Union by almost half.

Espina C, Ritchie D, Riboli E, Kromhout H, Franceschi S, Lansdorp-Vogelaar I, et al. European Code Against Cancer 5th edition: 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
Lancet Reg Health Eur. Published online 23 January 2026;
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101592

Read the article

Read the special thematic issue of Molecular Oncology

Watch the videos