The last March 2020, the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) has published the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan Position Paper 2020 – Towards providing better cancer control, improved cancer care and tackling inequalities throughout the EU.
The paper sets the framework of cancer leagues’ understanding of cancer policy and what is required to reverse the increase in cancer rates and close the inequality gap throughout the EU. The cancer leagues have a crucial role in the move towards more coordinated and harmonised cancer control efforts due to their national and regional influence and their being the main source of information and service for the general public. Cancer is a complex set of diseases and every stage in the cancer control continuum requires different tools and services. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan should complement and amplify the impact of national and regional cancer control plans. The position paper is the result of an extensive consultation process with the ECL’s members and focuses on key areas where Europe should work as one to improve cancer control and care. It is not intended as a comprehensive blueprint for national cancer policy.
Every year, 3.5 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer, and 1.3 million die from it. Over 40% of cancer cases are preventable. Without reversing current trends, it could become the leading cause of death in the EU. Europe’s beating cancer plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients, their families and health systems. It will address cancer related inequalities between and within Member States with actions to support, coordinate and complement Member States’ efforts.
Moreover, the European Commission opened a consultation whose aim was to invite all interested individuals or organisations to share their views and experiences to feed into a European cancer plan putting European citizens at the centre. The consultation results will be published in the coming months.
