Robert Sturdy

Euro-MP Robert Sturdy has welcomed a new European Partnership for Action against Cancer – and urged the government to participate fully.

The partnership aims to support countries in their efforts to tackle cancer by providing a framework for identifying and sharing information, capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control. It aims to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including non governmental organisations, researchers, patients groups, industry and national authorities across the EU in a collective effort and with a common commitment to addressing cancer.

The partnership will focus on actions that can be taken at EU level to more effectively prevent and control cancer across Europe. Cancer is not equally distributed in Europe and the chances of surviving cancer differ greatly between countries. By bringing together all relevant organisations working on cancer, the intention is to identify gaps, address needs and learn from each other.

Earlier this year, Mr Sturdy hosted the launch of a colorectal cancer campaign in the European Parliament, Brussels to help save lives across the European Union. It was the second year he supported the charity europacolon, which is strongly urging all 27 member states to fully implement EU recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.

Mr Sturdy said: “The successful detection and treatment of cancer across the European Union varies considerably. This is all the more tragic as it can often be treated successfully if caught in time. It is a devastating disease which has most probably affected every family. I hope that our government will be fully supportive the initiatives behind this excellent pan-European partnership, and that all member states learn from neighbouring countries about how to detect and treat this killer disease. This has to be a win-win partnership.

“I welcome the efforts of the European Commission to put cancer high on its work programme and will continue to support charities and health organisations raise awareness and promote screening and information sharing.”

One third of all cancers are preventable, and prevention offers the most cost-effective, long-term strategy for reducing burden of cancer. The partnership aims to put in place healthy lifestyle interventions and improved early detection of cancer, by achieving 100% population coverage for screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, which can dramatically reduce the impact of the disease and the loss of lives.

By focusing on best practice, the partnership hopes to encourage a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach to cancer-related healthcare, which will ensure a better quality of life for cancer patients. This will help to reduce inequalities in cancer deaths related to health care between different Member States; the Partnership is aiming for a 70% reduction by 2020.