At the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin, Sakura Finetek Europe brought together leaders from healthcare, government, academia and industry to explore one of the most pressing challenges in cancer care: ensuring that more people have access to timely and accurate diagnosis.
For millions of people worldwide, the greatest challenge in cancer care begins long before treatment. Delayed diagnosis, limited pathology capacity and fragmented healthcare systems continue to prevent patients from receiving the care they need, when they need it.
On 12 October, Sakura Finetek Europe, together with the World Health Summit, convened a high-level, closed-door dialogue titled Closing the Cancer Diagnosis Gap: Strengthening Access and Capacity for Better Cancer Care.
The discussion brought together diverse perspectives on the barriers to early cancer diagnosis, particularly in resource-constrained settings, and the practical steps needed to address them.
Beyond technology: Strengthening the foundations of diagnosis
A central message emerged: improving cancer outcomes requires more than introducing new technologies. It calls for sustained investment in the foundations of diagnostic care, from laboratory infrastructure and skilled professionals to reliable tissue sample handling, quality standards and better-connected patient pathways.
Participants also highlighted the importance of stronger cancer data to inform national health priorities, locally driven solutions and partnerships that bring together public and private sector expertise.
For Sakura Finetek Europe, these discussions reflect our commitment to advancing cancer diagnostics and empowering pathology professionals to deliver accurate, timely diagnoses that support better treatment outcomes.
Turning dialogue into action
The exchange reinforced the importance of collaboration in strengthening diagnostic capacity and making quality cancer care more accessible.
We are pleased to share a summary of the dialogue, capturing five key messages and practical priorities for policymakers, healthcare professionals and partners working to close the cancer diagnosis gap.
The dialogue was held under the Chatham House Rule. The summary captures key themes without attributing remarks to individual participants or organisations.
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