New UEG position papers unveiled for Digestive Health Month

Explore two new UEG position papers on improving the prevention and early detection of digestive diseases and cancers.

Every May, United European Gastroenterology (UEG) marks Digestive Health Month; a pan-European awareness campaign dedicated to improving prevention and early detection of digestive diseases and cancers. Bringing together UEG’s scientific expertise and advocacy work, the campaign creates a coordinated effort engaging healthcare professionals, medical societies, patient organizations, policymakers and other key stakeholders in shared priorities in digestive health.

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Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, digestive diseases and cancers remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across Europe. Many of these conditions are preventable or more effectively managed when detected early, highlighting the need for stronger prevention and screening strategies.

Ahead of Digestive Health Month, UEG has published two position papers focusing on key areas of prevention and early detection: digestive cancer screening and nutrition.

Cancer continues to represent one of Europe’s most significant health challenges, with approximately 2.7 million new cases diagnosed in 2022. Digestive cancers, including colorectal, gastric, liver, and pancreatic cancers, account for a substantial proportion of this burden and remain among the leading causes of cancer-related death across EU Member States. These patterns reflect persistent challenges in early detection, alongside the growing impact of modifiable risk factors, reinforcing the need for strengthened prevention strategies across health systems.

Digestive cancer screening across Europe: From evidence to policy action

This newly updated UEG position paper provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence, challenges and opportunities shaping digestive cancer screening across Europe. It highlights the need for more coordinated, equitable, and high-quality screening programmes aligned with the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC5), embedded within national cancer control plans.

Developed in collaboration with UEG’s specialist member societies active in the field of digestive oncology – EASL, ESDO, ESGE, EPC, and ESPCG – the paper reflects a broad expert consensus across the field.

Focusing on colorectal, gastric, liver, and pancreatic cancers, it outlines evidence-based recommendations to guide policy and support informed decision-making aimed at reducing the burden of digestive cancers across Europe.

Across all areas, the paper calls for improved harmonisation, stronger risk stratification, and better data infrastructure to support implementation.

Key recommendations include:

• Expansion of organised, population-based colorectal cancer screening with improved participation.
• Targeted H. pylori “screen-and-treat” strategies for gastric cancer prevention in high-risk settings.
• Earlier detection pathways for chronic liver disease with focus on fibrosis and cirrhosis.
• Surveillance for pancreatic cancer limited to high-risk individuals with genetic or familial risk.
• Strengthened risk stratification, quality assurance, and screening system harmonization across Europe.

The paper received endorsement from four European patient organizations – DiCE, ELPA, PCE and ILCM – as well as the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), underscoring the broad relevance and policy importance of the recommendations.

Nutrition as a cornerstone of primary prevention

This new UEG position paper on nutrition highlights the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) across Europe and their association with obesity, metabolic dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer and other chronic conditions. It emphasises that dietary risk is shaped not only by individual behaviour but also by structural factors such as affordability, availability, marketing, and broader food environments, which contribute to unequal exposure and health disparities.

Developed with the support of experts from the UEG Public Affairs Group and in collaboration with UEG specialist member societies EASL, ESNM, ESPGHAN, and ESPEN, the position paper reflects a strong multidisciplinary consensus and shared responsibility across the field.

In line with WHO noncommunicable disease frameworks, the paper calls for coordinated policy action to improve dietary quality at population level.

Key recommendations include:

• Mandatory, harmonized front-of-pack nutrition labeling across the EU.
• Fiscal measures including taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy ultra-processed foods.
• Reformulation targets to reduce salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats in processed foods.
• Restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children.
• Policies to improve access to affordable, minimally processed foods and reduce food insecurity.
• Integration of nutrition strategies into broader digestive disease and cancer prevention frameworks.

Together, these publications reinforce UEG’s commitment to advancing evidence-based prevention and early detection in digestive health.

Digestive Health Month provides a platform to amplify these recommendations and drive coordinated action across clinical practice, research and policy. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders at every level, the campaign aims to raise awareness and accelerate progress in prevention and early detection.

We invite you to actively support the campaign by sharing key campaign materials – including key message cards, position papers, and infographics – within your networks.

Join the conversation on social media using #DigestiveHealthMonth.

If you have any questions, please contact Anna Carboni, Stakeholder Communication & PR at UEG. Email: a.carboni@ueg.eu