Brussels, 08/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 7 April, Androulla Vassiliou, focused her first public speech on the fight against cancer, a subject that is visibly something she feels strongly about. As part of a conference in Brussels, organised by the European Cancer Patient Coalition, the new European commissioner for health (her appointment is expected to be approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday 9 April) emphasised the fact that 3.2 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer every year.
But the burden of cancer does not strike equally across the Union: cervical cancer is over four times higher in Bulgaria than in Finland, and the risk of dying from cervical cancer is almost five times higher in Lithuania than in Italy, pointed out Ms Vassiliou.
While pointing out that primary prevention has been a long-standing priority area for Community action, Androulla Vassiliou underlined the need to develop prophylactic vaccines whenever possible against the human papillomavirus, and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori by antimicrobial treatment. She highlighted the benefits of screening and early detection, and explained that last year alone approximately 55 million people attended screening programmes for breast, cervical or colorectal cancer in 24 member states. She also stated, however, that, “this is only the start. There is considerable room for improvement” and pointed out that the current annual volume of screening examinations is less than half of the goal of 125 million examinations per year, as specified in the Council Recommendation on screening. Although the Europe Against Cancer Programme reported a reduction of 9% in 2000, it is a long way off the 15% reduction target set out in their programme in 1987. Vassiliou affirmed that in these conditions, “Cancer continues to be a special priority for the European Community” and estimated that the number of deaths from cancer will dramatically increase by 2015. She also explained that next year, the European Commission will present a Communication on a cancer action plan, which will focus on prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Another priority area is to continue our efforts within cancer research. Other efforts will address risk factors such as (poor nutrition, alcohol, drugs and tobacco consumption, behaviour) as well as research. (O.J.)