Brussels, 14/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - By adopting conclusions on anti-cancer action on Monday 13 September, the Council of Ministers of the EU invites:
“(1) the member states to: - participate actively in the partnership; develop and implement comprehensive cancer strategies or plans by the end of 2013; continue their efforts on health promotion and disease prevention, in particular on tobacco control policies and the promotion of healthy lifestyles; continue their efforts to achieve full implementation of screening programmes for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer in line with the Council Recommendation of 2 December 2003 on cancer screening and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of available screening programmes, including the technology used and the different organisational approaches, with a view to further enhancing quality; ensure population-based cancer registration, which can provide accurate and comparable data on the cancer burden; continue their efforts as regards access to screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, and to medication, in particular to reduce existing health inequalities related to cancer; (2) the Commission to: regularly update the European guidelines for quality assurance in screening; provide the scientific and technical support needed for successful implementation of the activities of the partnership; at the end of the initial phase of the partnership, to report to the Council on its achievements, in particular in the light of the key deliverables and outcomes set out in the Commission Communication of 24 June 2009, to identify gaps and to consider the need to further action; (3) member states and the Commission to: continue their efforts as regards research, in particular by collaborating in a more cohesive manner on transnational and translational cancer research and by promoting innovation; continue their efforts in the field of cancer prevention and control and renew their engagements as regards the follow up to the Council conclusions of 10 June 2008 on reducing the burden of cancer.”. (G.B./transl.fl)