Euro-MP Robert Sturdy hosted the launch of a colorectal cancer campaign in the European Parliament this week to help save lives across the European Union.

This is the second year Mr Sturdy has supported europacolon, a charity which is strongly urging all 27 member states to fully implement EU recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.

Europacolon is hoping to gain the support of 1.5 million people across Europe by signing an online pledge in support of their Manifesto for Life, which is aimed at key EU policymakers.

Mr Sturdy said this was a deadly disease which was highly treatable if diagnosed early, but people thought would never happen to them, and rarely talked about it because of the delicate area of the body involved. But he said it was crucial to raise awareness and help people understand it.

“I would like to congratulate everyone at europacolon on this important work so far which has been a great achievement and I hope we can continue to help you in the European Parliament. This should not be a taboo subject.”

Jola Gore-Booth, founder of europacolon, said colorectal cancer was the second highest cause of cancer deaths in Europe and it was crucial that all member states implemented a screening programme. To date, only 12 EU member states comply with this, including the UK.

She said: “I would like to thank Mr Sturdy for hosting our launch today because his continued support is invaluable in raising the profile about this deadly and treatable disease across Europe. We look forward to returning here next year with a new inflatable colon to make our campaign eye catching and unforgettable.”

The campaign was launched in the European Parliament in Brussels in 17 March. More than 412,000 European citizens are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. In 2003, the European Code Against Cancer and the EU Council developed recommendations which said that men and women over 50 years should have a colorectal cancer screening. It is estimated that up to 50% of colorectal cancer deaths could be reduced by 2020 if positive active is taken now.

*A video showing the launch of the campaign can be seen here:

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Pic caption: From left to right:

Hedwig Neesen,  Colorectal cancer survivor and europacolon Belgium member;

Vitor Neves. Manager, europacolon, from Portugal;

Alojz Peterle, MEP Slovenia;

Jola Gore-Booth, europacolon Founder/Director;

Robert Sturdy MEP;

Frieda Brepoels, MEP Belgium;

Eric Van Cutsem, Professor of Internal Medicine University of Leaven, Belgium, and Medical Director of europacolon.

Notes to Editors:

Robert Sturdy MEP is available for interview on 0032 2284 7294 or through Press Officer Ellee Seymour on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961.

1. Further information and the online pledge can be found at www.europacolon.com and from Julia Kennedy, Director of Operations, on 07766 084256.

“The G20 summit has the opportunity to make it clear that short-term aid and declarations against protectionism will not be enough. The agricultural commodity markets are perhaps some of the most fluid and volatile, the developing world needs to shift its economic base swiftly. The real victims of the developed world’s trade and aid policies are the poorer nations’ entrepreneurs who find themselves incapable of developing new industries, particularly as creditors shy away, back to nations whose governments are offering guarantees. The government has thrown a huge amount of taxpayers’ money at the economic crisis in the UK with questionable results. We must ensure that if we are sending more of our money overseas, it achieves real results to help poorer nations help themselves out of the crisis.”
Robert Sturdy MEP
Conservative, East of England