Combating cancer in the enlarged European Union

Cancer is a very complex set of diseases and a major health burden which is set to increase as the European population ages and more and more people survive other diseases. It is accounting for over 1 million deaths in the EU each year.

 

- When does the Commission plan to follow up on the actions from the Europe against Cancer Programme by adopting a recommendation for a comprehensive cancer control strategy addressing the four basic cancer control factors: prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care, including palliative care?

 

- What are the Commission's plans to propose the setting up of reference networks for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, supported by Structural Funds and the Community Framework Research Programmes under the patient mobility proposals?

 

- Given that cancer screening saves lives, what plans does the Commission have to update and strengthen existing screening recommendations?

 

The draft resolution calls on the Commission to set up an interinstitutional EU Cancer Task Force to collect and exchange best practice for prevention, screening and treatment and to provide leadership for improved cancer control in Europe. The EU Cancer Task Force should in particular promote new measures as well as existing screening projects to help to increase the part of the population taking part in screening measures by at least 50 % in each of the MS by 2018. Furthermore, Initiatives aiming to prevent cancer through the promotion of healthy lifestyles shall be promoted, putting a strong emphasis on children and adolescents.

 

 

MEPs underline the importance to promote information campaigns on cancer screening and the exchange of best practice on the use of preventive measures. The Council recommendation on cancer screening has to be promoted and implemented effectively. The Commission should increase the information available to patients with cancer by encouraging initiatives which inform patients of their treatment and the ways to access such treatment.

 

 

The Commission shall ensure that community legislation contains incentives for industries and researchers to secure ongoing research and guarantee new evidence-based medicines and treatments to combat and control cancer. Funds within FP7 shall be allocated to encourage research and innovation in the area of primary prevention screening and early detection and of new anti-cancer treatments and medicines.

 

 

MEPs encourage Member States to adopt national Charters of Patients rights according to European guidelines. Furthermore they call on the Commission to draw up a charter for the protection of cancer patients and chronically sick people in the workplace.