Sharing is Caring and Cooperation is Strength: Although public health is the competence of the Member States and EU actions are complementary to national policies, sharing knowledge and pooling expertise in the field of cancer treatment, research and training is the EU's strength. This BECA Background notes gives a comprehensive overview of EU actions, systems and networks through which health data and knowledge is being shared, as well as their opportunities and challenges.
On 3 February 2021, on the eve of World Cancer Day, the European Commission presented its long awaited Europe's Beating Cancer plan. It is a major initiative under the European health union, a process launched by the Commission on 11 November 2020 with a first set of proposals to reinforce the EU's preparedness and response during health crises.
The COVID19-pandemic has affected certain groups more severely, globally and across Europe. Cancer patients are among the more vulnerable population groups, and cancer care has also suffered from the impact of the pandemic on the functioning of the healthcare systems.
This note, drafted by the BECA Secretariat ahead of the BECA Public Hearing on 18 March, covers the following issues: The rationale of screening and early diagnosis of cancer, Cancer registries, Artificial intelligence and big data in cancer screening and diagnosis, Population-based screening programmes in the EU -screening for specific cancers and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The BECA Secretariat drafted a background note ahead of the hearing "From lab to Life: transforming childhood, adolescent and rare cancer care" on 23 February 2021 The public hearing addressed research, treatment and rare cancer care and the rights and needs of patients, parents and survivors and caregivers.