Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 - Strasbourg

Fight against cancer (topical debate)

  Liudas Mažylis (PPE). – Madam President, in the face of illness and loss of life, a simple question is raised: why did it happen? If the Europe-wide measures are still insufficient, then why? The European Union started its action on cancer in 1985. Since then, we’ve spent billions on research, but how do we assess the results? The EU’s aim was to reduce cancer incidence by 15 % by 2020. Unfortunately, this will not be the case. Systemic analysis has to be done to find out why.

I am sure that combating cancer is an important political priority of the President-elect of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. I hope the work of the new Commission will start on the critical assessment of previous efforts in such spheres as detecting environmental influences, other risk factors, screening and enabling more effective and earlier diagnosis.

I hope that comprehensive plans on action on cancer will be drafted. As the early detection and prevention programmes are crucially important, we particularly stress the need for a harmonised cancer information system.