World Cancer Day is a reminder that cancer affects us all. One third of EU citizens are diagnosed during their lifetime with this devastating disease, which costs the lives of 1.2 million people a year.
These figures are even more shocking because we know that robust prevention and screening initiatives can successfully reduce cancer's impact. But knowledge alone does not guarantee results – change requires the active involvement of our citizens, who must be motivated to make healthier choices.
This is why the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) is campaigning for improved EU-wide cancer control strategies including prevention, population-based screening, early detection, treatment and care. ECPC was set up in 2004, to unite all cancer patient groups into a single voice, campaigning for renewed political will to tackle cancer more effectively.
2008 was a momentous year for cancer patients. The European Parliament – led by MEPs against Cancer – adopted a resolution on combating cancer , and EU health ministers signed conclusions on how to reduce the burden of cancer under the Slovenian EU Presidency.
Now the European Commission has published a roadmap for its 2009 cancer action plan, launching a partnership for action against cancer with key stakeholders.
ECPC looks forward to contributing the patient’s perspective to this alliance. By joining forces and sharing our expertise, knowledge and will to act, we can reduce the impact of cancer.
