Cancer Research UK, Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) and ECCO - The European CanCer Organisation have come together to mark World Cancer Day in the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France.
The organisations have been in the European Parliament all week, speaking about the key issues that affect cancer patients today. Ahead of World Cancer Day, tonight’s evening reception organised by Glenis Willmott MEP outlines some of the EU’s recent achievements in the fight against the disease and put forward actions to beat cancer sooner in Europe.
Catherine Guinard, EU Public Affairs Manager at Cancer Research UK said “Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Europe and, with people living longer, the number of cases will continue to grow. Political action is needed now to make sure we have evidence-based policies that put cancer patients first. World Cancer Day is a moment to remember the duty we have to Europe’s cancer patients, and the opportunities we have to make change happen.”
“World Cancer Day is an important occasion to note that action is needed along all aspects of cancer control, from prevention to patient support, treatment and rehabilitation”, noted Kate O’Regan, Policy Officer at the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL). “The European Code against Cancer is a key tool in reminding citizens that your cancer risk can be reduced by adopting a healthier lifestyle and making healthier choices such as practising physical activity or refraining from tobacco use. ECL is very proud to support these messages on the policy level by providing the Secretariat to the MEPs against Cancer (MAC) all party group on cancer in the European Parliament, and working closely with our member leagues to ensure national cooperation.”
Gilles Vassal, Past President and Board Member of SIOPE said: “Cancer remains the first cause of death by disease for children in Europe, and the majority of survivors experience serious late effects. It is imperative that policy makers and indeed all stakeholders cooperate to urgently solve these issues. One of the most pressing needs is to increase and accelerate paediatric cancer drug development. The childhood cancer community including parents, patients and survivors developed a common vision to address such key issues - the SIOPE European Cancer Plan for Children and Adolescents. We look forward to implementing it with all stakeholders to achieve a brighter future for children and adolescents with cancer.”
Ian Banks, Chair of the ECCO Patient Advisory Committee said: “As an organisation uniting multidisciplinary cancer professionals, what ECCO is looking at now is a much closer involvement with the patient voice, with the patient representatives, and with the patients themselves in the way that we put oncopolicy together, the way that we structure the policy for better early diagnosis, for better management, and for better survivorship in cancer. And critically of course, all of this will be the better prevention of cancer in the first place. The motto has to be for us, as an organisation, in 2016, that I can, we can and ECCO can.”
ENDS
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