Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: consideration of amendments

18-10-2021 - 00:02

Amendments. Office Binder on Wooden Desk. On the table colored pencils, pen, notebook paper — Members tabled more than 1,500 amendments to the BECA draft report "Strengthening Europe in the the fight against cancer" © Image used under the license of the Adobe Stock

On 14 October, Members of the Special Committee on Beating Cancer considered the 1,537 amendments tabled to the draft report prepared by Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew, FR) on "Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer - towards a comprehensive and coordinated strategy".

The BECA draft report provides a wide range of concrete actions and tools in the fields of health and cancer research where the EU can complement and support national efforts to defeat cancer.

Members tabled an impressive number of in total 1537 amendments (see below) which concern among others prevention, including in the area of tobacco, alcohol and nutrition. Many amendments call for further focus on paediatric and rare cancers and the protection of workers from work-related cancers; others request more funding for promising research. In their amendments, Members also encourage more cooperation and coordination in the fight against cancer among member states and by the Commission, including improving the cross-border healthcare directive and further strengthening the European Reference Networks.

An overall concern is about the inequalities in cancer prevention and care across Europe.

The vote will take place on 6 December.