Distinguished Members of Parliament, honored guests,
As President of the European Cancer Organisation, I stand before you today to discuss a critical issue facing cancer patients across Europe – how we can improve care and outcomes for those treated outside of comprehensive cancer centers, and what hope Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan offers these patients.
The stark reality is that cancer remains a major health challenge in Europe. Each year, 2.7 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer, and another 1.3 million lose their lives to it. The economic impact is staggering – over €100 billion annually. And behind these numbers are real people, families torn apart, lives changed forever.
For patients lucky enough to be treated at specialized comprehensive cancer centers, the outlook can be promising. They often have access to the latest treatments, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care. But for many patients – particularly in rural areas or regions with less developed healthcare infrastructure – the story is very different. They face significant barriers to accessing high-quality cancer care.
This is where Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan comes in. Launched in 2021, this ambitious initiative aims to tackle the entire cancer pathway, from prevention to survivorship. With over €4 billion in funding, it represents a beacon of hope for cancer patients across the EU.
Let me highlight several key ways this plan could transform cancer care for patients:
1. Prevention and early detection: The plan aims to reduce the number of deaths due to cancer by 2035. For patients, this means a stronger focus on risk factors like tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, environmental pollution, and hazardous substances. The plan sets an ambitious target of creating a ‘Tobacco-Free Generation’ by 2040. It also aims to offer cancer screening to 90% of those eligible by 2025. Early detection can dramatically improve outcomes, giving patients a fighting chance.
2. Equal access to high-quality care: The plan recognizes the unacceptable disparities in cancer care across Europe. It proposes creating an EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers by 2025, with the aim of ensuring 90% of eligible patients have access to such centers by 2030. For patients in underserved areas, this could mean the difference between life and death.
3. Improving quality of life: The plan doesn’t just focus on survival – it recognizes the importance of quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. It proposes creating a ‘Cancer Survivor Smart-Card’, summarizing their clinical history and facilitating follow-up care. This could be a game-changer for the millions of cancer survivors across Europe, helping them navigate life after cancer.
4. Addressing inequalities: The plan proposes establishing a Cancer Inequalities Registry to identify trends and disparities between Member States and regions. For patients in disadvantaged areas, this could shine a light on the challenges they face and drive targeted improvements.
5. Harnessing digital technology: The plan includes initiatives like the European Cancer Imaging Initiative, which could bring cutting-edge diagnostics to patients even in remote areas.
6. Improving palliative care: The plan recognizes the need to improve quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, promising to review and exchange best practices for palliative care.
But realizing this potential will require concerted effort and political will. We must:
– Invest in healthcare infrastructure and workforce training in underserved regions. The plan’s focus on education and training is crucial.
– Establish networks linking community providers with comprehensive cancer centers.
– Ensure reimbursement policies support adoption of innovative diagnostics and treatments across all settings.
– Strengthen patient involvement at all levels. The plan emphasizes the importance of involving patients in policy-making and research.
The vision of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is laudable. But its true measure of success will be whether it improves outcomes for all cancer patients – not just those fortunate enough to be treated at top academic centers.
We should also recognize that this plan builds on existing efforts in Member States. For instance, Germany’s National Cancer Plan, launched in 2008, has already made significant strides in areas like standardizing quality indicators, expanding clinical cancer registries, and strengthening patient-centered care. The EU plan can build on these successes while addressing remaining gaps.
I’m particularly encouraged by the recent political guidelines put forth by Ursula von der Leyen for the next European Commission. She has committed to building on the successful model of the Beating Cancer Plan to step up work on preventive health, including mental health, cardiovascular diseases, and research on autism. This holistic approach to health is exactly what we need to address the complex challenges facing European citizens.
However, we must also be mindful of the challenges ahead. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted cancer care, disrupting prevention and treatment, delaying diagnosis and vaccination, and affecting access to medicines. The Beating Cancer Plan must be flexible enough to address these emerging challenges.
Moreover, we must ensure that the plan’s implementation doesn’t create new inequalities. While the focus on digital solutions and advanced technologies is welcome, we must ensure that patients in all regions have the ability to benefit from these advancements.
The plan also recognizes the crucial role of carers, often family members, in supporting cancer patients. It proposes measures to ensure better work-life balance for carers, which could make a significant difference to patients and their families.
In conclusion, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan offers real hope for patients across the EU. It represents a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to tackling one of our greatest health challenges. But a plan is only as good as its implementation. We all have a role to play in turning this vision into reality.
For policymakers, it means ensuring adequate funding and political support for the plan’s initiatives. For healthcare providers, it means embracing new approaches and technologies. For all of us here, it means continuing to advocate for patients’ needs and ensuring their voices are heard in the implementation process.
By extending this successful model to other areas of health, as proposed in the new political guidelines, we have an opportunity to create a healthier, more equitable Europe for all citizens. Let us seize this moment and work together to make this vision a reality.
The EU Beating Cancer Plan puts patients at the heart of European health policy. Now it’s up to all of us to ensure it delivers on its promise. Our cancer patients are counting on us. Please, let’s not let them down.
Thank you!