Brussels, 12/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - German Social Democrat MEP Karin Jöns, European Parliament rapporteur on breast cancer, has welcomed the initiative taken by Commissioner Byrne, who outlined a draft recommendation last week on cancer screening (see Europe of 10 May, p.16). In a press release, she notes that a million people die of cancer every year in the European Union and that early screening would significantly cut the number of moralities. The Commission's initiative will step up the pressure on Member States to establish optimal cancer screening, said Jöns, adding that it was now up to Member States to take action.