One in four deaths in the EU is caused by cancer, with certain forms predominantly or exclusively affecting women such as cancer of the breast, uterus, cervix and ovaries. Breast cancer is the most fatal for women. Experts join lawmakers to look at the current situation in the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of women's cancers in the EU. MEP Daniela Aiuto says access to preventative care must be improved especially in poorer member states.

EU politics

health (2841)

human rights

Women's cancers: boosting preventive care

Tumours that affect women are mainly those that affect the female organs: 

Data tells us that in the European Union, 

nearly 600,000 women die from cancer every year. 

Of course, this figure does not only take into account women-specific tumours, 

but for example, nearly 90,000 women die each year in Europe from breast cancer. 

The problem is that the lack of economic resources, 

due in particular to a long period of crisis, 

has led to a rise in the age threshold for free medical examinations. 

In an Italian family, if the mother or the wife wants to get a mammography regularly, 

she will have to pay up to 1,000 euros per year. ##@# 

Not all Italian families can afford these expenses nowadays. 

It means that many women at risk of developing cancer give up prevention. 

prevent us from having access to early diagnosis. It is here that we must act. 

What is happening in the countries of northern Europe, 

where women have more access to this type of care, 

must also be implemented in the more disadvantaged countries 

because we want social cohesion in terms of health as well.