07/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Adopting a report in Brussels on Thursday 6 May 2010 by Slovenian EPP MEP Alojz Peterle on the fight against cancer, MEPs gave their support to a European Commission proposal to create a European partnership in the fight against cancer in 2009-2013, believing that work should especially focus on the new EU Member States. Parliament calls on EU countries to draw up integrated anti-cancer plans as soon as possible in order to meet the ambitious target of reducing the burden of cancer by 15% by 2020 and calls on the Commission to use all means possible to encourage prevention in medicine, recommending healthier lifestyles and encouraging Member States to work harder on prevention. MEPs want greater support for research into cancer prevention, including research into the impact of toxic chemicals and environmental pollution and how the two interact with each other. Cancer is currently the second biggest killer in Europe, with more than 3 million new cases and 1.7 deaths every year. (O.J.)