Cancer is currently the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. In 2024, around 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and around 1.27 million died. World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February. The three-year “United by unique” campaign (2025-2027) aims to raise awareness of the importance of people-centred care.

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.

Established in the 2021 Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, EU action focuses on prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and care, through 10 flagship initiatives.

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 smoking (T)

healthcare safety (T)

fight against cancer (T)

9th parliamentary term

Special committee on Beating Cancer

EU4Health Programme 2021-2027 (T)

Fight against cancer

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 '

Infoclip: Cancer Treatments

Voting session

EP Plenary Session - World Cancer Day

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World Cancer Day: MEPs debate (part 1)

SANT - Marking the World Cancer Day 2026: Exchange of views with experts on fighting cancer in Europe

EP Plenary session - Breast cancer: the importance of screening

Infoclip: Research, innovation and science in the EU

Infoclip: Protecting EU citizens from tobacco smoke and aerosol exposure

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

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

EU action on cancer

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Committee on Beating Cancer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infoclip: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - Prevention

Infoclip: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - Research

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

Infoclip: Artificial Intelligence, EU-funded projects

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