06/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - A study into cancer care in Europe published on 19 October confirms that there are huge gaps in the care services provided to patients in different countries in the EU. The study by Professor Rifat Atun of the International Healthcare Management Institute of Imperial College London found that (1) the chance of surviving cancer depends on what EU Member States the patient lives in, (2) patients from deprived backgrounds and rural areas have more limited access to high quality care than the better off, and (3) access to high quality care depends on the type of cancer in question. Professor Atun says the EU has to take a more strategic approach to managing cancer, and a concerted effort by EU Member States is long awaited. Cancer is expected to increase by 3.4 million new cases (25%) by 2020. More info: http://www.cancerunited.org (oj)