Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. Each year there are 3.5 million new diagnoses; and every year 1.3 million people die from cancer, accounting for 25% of all deaths. If the current trend continues, the projection is that by 2035 cancer cases will have doubled in number, and cancer will have become the leading cause of death in the EU.

Though public health is the primary responsibility of the Member States, the EU has a strong role in supporting, coordinating and complementing Member States’ efforts. On 4 February 2020 – World Cancer Day – the European Commission started its outreach on Europe’s Cancer Plan at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients and families, and health care systems. The Plan is ambitious in addressing cancer-related inequalities between and in the Member States. The European Parliament, as law-maker and policy-maker, plays an active role in shaping the new Cancer Plan and related legislative proposals and policy initiatives.

Fight against cancer

The special committee BECA on beating cancer is specifically tasked with evaluating opportunities for the EU to take concrete action, identifying legislation and other measures that can help prevent and fight cancer, and looking into the best ways to support research, among others.

The special committee aims in particular to looking at actions to strengthen the approach at every key stage of the disease: prevention, diagnosis, treatment, life as a cancer survivor and palliative care, ensuring a close link with the research mission on cancer in the future Horizon Europe programme and with a focus on EU competence.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

BECA - Special Committee on Beating Cancer

Horizon Europe is the framework programme for research and innovation.

In the 2021-2027 period, Horizon Europe will have a total budget allocation of of €95.517 billion (in current prices), which equals €84.9 billion (in constant 2018 prices). Horizon Europe will be implemented through three pillars: the Open Science pillar; the Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar; and the Open Innovation pillar. The main aims are to strengthen science and technology, to foster industrial competiveness, and to implement the sustainable development goals in the EU.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that research and innovation are drivers for economic recovery. Hundreds of millions of euros have been mobilised in coronavirus research projects under the previous EU funding programme, Horizon 2020. The new programme will continue to support health research and help the EU´s health systems to prepare for future crises.

Horizon Europe

European Parliament in Brussels lit in pink to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month

September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

STOA Workshop ' EU collaborative models to tackle childhood cancer '

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP).

EP Plenary session - Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer

BECA Special Committee

BECA Special Committee - Turning the tide on cancer: the view of national parliaments on Europe's Beating Cancer Plan

BECA Special Committee - Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer

BECA Special Committee - Public hearing ' Unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence in cancer research and car '

BECA Special Committee - Exchange of views  ' The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, health services and cancer patients and research : Lessons from a public health crisis '

BECA Special Committee - Public hearing ' Saving lives and improving patient outcomes: Why screening and early detection of cancer matter '

BECA Special Committee - Public hearing ' From lab to life: transforming childhood, adolescent and rare cancer care ' - Rights and needs of rare cancer and paediatric cancer patients, survivors, parents and caregivers

BECA Special Committee - Public hearing ' From lab to life: transforming childhood, adolescent and rare cancer care '- Research, treatment and care of paediatric, adolescent and rare cancer

BECA Special Committee- Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES,Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on Europe's Beating Cancer Plan

BECA Special Committee-  Public hearing ' World cancer day: the impact of COVID19 and other health threats on cancer '

On 27 November 2024, during the plenary session in Brussels; MEPs discuss the Commission's proposal for a Council recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments, to replace Council Recommendation 2009/C296/02.The proposed recommendation calls on Member States to extend the coverage of smoke free environment policies to key outdoor areas, including: outdoor recreational areas for children (public playgrounds, amusement parks, swimming pools, zoos and other similar outdoor spaces); outdoor areas connected to healthcare and education premises (hospitals, health centres, schools, training centres); outdoor areas associated to a place of work; public buildings; service establishments (restaurants, bars, cafés); transport stops and stations (bus, tram, train, airports). It also recommends that Member States extend smoke-free policies to emerging products such as electronic cigarettes.

Infoclip: Protecting EU citizens from tobacco smoke and aerosol exposure

This infoclip shows the Malta’s Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre. It offers advanced diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Opened in 2013, it has tripled the number of beds available for cancer patients on the island. The Centre is part of the new acute general hospital in Msida, close to the island's capital Valletta. It aims to treat 60 % of all Malta's cancer patients and is in keeping with Malta's National Cancer Plan that aims to reduce waiting times for patients and provide better therapeutic practice. Total investment for the project “Mater Dei Hospital Oncology Centre” is EUR 48 802 700, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 41 482 300 from the Operational Programme “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Sir Antony Mamo Oncology centre - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

Air pollution is a serious issue with tangible negative effects on health, the environment, economies and societies. The EU has developed a policy on air quality to help Member States reduce air polluting emissions. Although emissions have been falling for the past two decades, exceedances for certain harmful pollutants are still widespread and persistent. The Commission proposed a revision of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives as part of a 'zero pollution' package. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - New rules for better air quality

Parliament debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew,FR), Rapporteur

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteur

Parliament debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. Third part of the debate.

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: MEPs debate (part 3/3)

Parliament debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. Second part of the debate.

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: MEPs debate (part 2/3)

Parliament debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. First part of the debate.

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: MEPs debate (part 1/3)

Parliament debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. Opening statements by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcript is result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: opening statements by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

The European Parliament debated on Tuesday and adopted on Wednesday (652 votes in favour, 15 against and 27 abstentions) measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA), presided by Veronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR stated that the EU would be faster and better equipped to bring down the prices of cancer drugs, which are very high. Stella KYRIAKIDES, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, reminded that prevention is very important so that citizens can have specific recommendations on how they can reduce their risk of cancer. In general, MEPs agreed that a better cross-border cooperation is needed in the fight against cancer:

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer: extracts from the debate and the votes, statement by Veronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteur

Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), presents her draft report "Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer – towards a comprehensive and coordinated strategy" to the Members of the Beating Cancer Committee, in the European Parliament in Brussels. The draft proposes concrete actions and tools in the fields of health and research, including ambitious legislative proposals to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption, promote healthy eating and regular physical activity, and encourage vaccination against certain cancers.

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer in BECA committee: extracts and presentation of the the draft report

Members of the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, health services and cancer patients and research, in the European Parliament in Brussels. Extracts from the meeting. Statements by Mark LAWLER , Co-Chair of the European Cancer Organisation Special Network on Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer, Solange PETERS, President, European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), Dineke ZEEGERS PAGET, Executive Director, European Public Health Association (EUPHA), Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Co-rapporteur, and Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), BECA Chair and Co-rapporteur.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, health services and cancer patients and research: extracts from BECA Committee meeting

Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), rapporteur of the Special EP Committee for Beating Cancer (BECA), gives a statement on the Europe's first Beating Cancer Plan. The plan is structured around four key areas: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and improving quality of life. There are multiple supporting actions, along ten flagship initiatives.

Europe Beating Cancer Plan: statement by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), rapporteur of the Special EP Committee for Beating Cancer

Between 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Cancer prevention requires smoking cessation, increased ingestion of fruits and vegetables, moderate use of alcohol, caloric restriction, exercise... Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. Ths infoclip shows consumption of tobacco, alcoholic beverage and junk food, healthy diet and physical activity (basketball, gymnastics, badminton ...).

Infoclip: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - Prevention

Cancer treatment and care involve a very wide range of treatment modalities, spanning a large number of medical disciplines. These notably include: cancer surgery, radiation therapy, interventional oncology, chemotherapy, nuclear therapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy; primary care, specialist oncology nursing, oncology pharmacy; and psycho-oncology, supportive care and palliative care. This infoclip shows various aspects of the diagnosis and treatments of cancers by ICANS (Institute of Cancerology Strasbourg - France). ICANS | Strasbourg Europe Cancer Institute combines the Paul Strauss Center, one of the Comprehensive Cancer Centers in France, and the University Hospital of Strasbourg oncology teams. This institute is entirely dedicated to patients and works in three different areas: cares teaching and research.

Infoclip: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - Diagnosis and treatment

Cancer research, and its translation into everyday clinical practice, is fundamental to ensuring continual improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for survivors. The needs of basic cancer research must achieve a high profile with the EU Cancer Mission and Horizon Europe research and innovation programme in order to maintain Europe's position at the forefront of discovery and breakthrough in understanding cancer. This infoclip shows how scientists work on studies to find better ways to prevent and treat cancer. ICANS | Strasbourg Europe Cancer Institute combines the Paul Strauss Center, one of the Comprehensive Cancer Centers in France, and the University Hospital of Strasbourg oncology teams. This institute is entirely dedicated to patients and works in three different areas: cares teaching and research.

Infoclip: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - Research

The Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) in association with the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) hold a public hearing on challenges and opportunities related to breast cancer, in the European Parliament in Brussels. At the end of this hearing, BECA Committee also exchange views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Every October, the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. Statement by Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), BECA Chair.

Beating breast cancer - challenges and opportunities / Europe’s beating cancer plan: illustrative shots of the public hearing and exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES and statement by Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), BECA Chair

Constitutive meeting of the Special Committee - Beating Cancer (BECA) in Brussels: views of the first meeting, election by acclamation of Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL) as chairman and statement.

Constitutive meeting of 5 new Special Committees - Beating Cancer (BECA): illustrative shots and statement by Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), elected Chair

Global ‘Gold September’ Campaign to Raise Awareness of Childhood Cancers: inlighting the European Parliament buildings

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