MEPs acknowledge need for comprehensive strategy to control cancer

The written declaration has been signed by more than half of the MEPs, which is the required number for a declaration to be adopted. In addition to cancer being the leading cause of death in Europe, one-third of all cancers are preventable and can be detected early and successfully treated.

The declaration calls on the Commission to do the following:

 encourage research and innovation in the area of prevention and early detection of cancer
 promote relevant information campaigns for the general public and for all healthcare providers
 ensure that community legislation has incentives for industry and researchers alike in order to maintain ongoing research and guarantee new medicines and treatments to combat cancer
 improve the dissemination of best practices to ensure that citizens have access to the best available treatments

MEPs are asking the Commission and Council to create a comprehensive strategy addressing the four basic cancer control factors:

 prevention
 early detection
 diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
 palliative care

In addition, the declaration calls on the Commission to review relevant legislation and to update and modify the measures in conjunction with new scientific advances.

EPHA related articles:
 article 2211
 A strong call from Europa Donna to support breast cancer research