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

This infoclip illustrates research, innovation and science in the EU. The European Commission is investing over €7.3 billion through its newly adopted Horizon Europe work programme for 2025 to strengthen Europe's research and innovation engine and global edge. This will drive cutting-edge science, accelerate the EU's green and digital transitions, and enhance Europe's competitiveness. The programme will help attract and retain top researchers in Europe and offer targeted support to those affected by war and displacement

Infoclip: Research, innovation and science in the EU

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.

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