Brussels, 24/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a communication adopted on Wednesday 24 June, the European Commission proposes the setting up at a European level of a partnership against cancer. This will involve supporting synergies and exchanges between different actors in the struggle against cancer in European Union member states. The Commission explains that this partnership is expected to allow for identification and exchange of information capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control. It aims to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including non governmental organisations, researchers, patients groups, industry and national authorities across the EU in a collective effort and with a common commitment to addressing cancer. This partnership approach will also help to avoid scattered actions and the duplication of efforts by contributing to better use of limited resources available.
Although the communication describes the European Partnership for Action against Cancer's main objectives, it is, however, intended that the Partnership will determine its key areas and actions through the partnership approach itself. Identified key areas and actions to be further taken forward by the partnership include: - Health promotion and early detection of cancer: One third of all cancers are preventable, and prevention offers the most cost-effective, long-term strategy for reducing the burden of cancer. The partnership aims to put in place healthy lifestyle interventions and improved early detection of cancer, by achieving 100% population coverage for screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, which can dramatically reduce the impact of the disease and the loss of lives; - Identification and dissemination of good practice in cancer-related health care: By focusing on best practice, the partnership hopes to encourage a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach to cancer-related healthcare, which will ensure a better quality of life for cancer patients. This will help to reduce inequalities in cancer deaths related to health care between different member states. The partnership is aiming for a 70% reduction by 2020; - Priorities for cancer research: The partnership will work towards developing a more coordinated approach to cancer-related research across the EU, with a particular focus on identifying and tackling discrepancies and obstacles in cancer-related research. By doing so, at least one third of all European research efforts should be coordinated by the end of the partnership; - Health information and data: It is important to continuously collect and analyse information and data on cancer in order to ensure effective public health interventions. To this end, the partnership will examine current obstacles in the collection of this necessary information and look for solutions - by 2013, comprehensive data for all member states should be available for the first time.
The European Partnership for Action against Cancer will be launched officially in Brussels in the autumn of 2009, and the Commission hopes that all member states and stakeholders committed to the European fight against cancer will join this sustainable action to curb the European burden of cancer, by working together - in partnership.
In Europe, one in three people will develop cancer in their lives. Every year, 3.2 million people are diagnosed with the disease.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and several other anti-cancer organisations launched an appeal on Wednesday to take the specific needs of patients with rare kinds of cancer better into account. These organisations want better care and treatment of these cancers (20%) to become this new partnership's priority. (O.J./transl.rh)