Keynote speech by Commissioner Kyriakides at the conference on "Better Access to Cancer Treatment"

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Commissie (EC) i, gepubliceerd op dinsdag 10 december 2019.

Commissioner Kyriakides responsible for Health and Food Safety at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Dear Members of Parliament, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

A new case of cancer is diagnosed in the EU i every 9 seconds. This means that, since I started addressing myself to you, one new case may already have been diagnosed. By the end of my remarks here today, there could be 65 more.

We know that cancer is one of the first causes of death in many EU Member States and the second leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular diseases.

Epidemiology shows that 40% of Europeans will face cancer at some point in our lives.

Beyond this, cancer also has a tremendous financial impact. It places a massive burden on our health and social systems.

We need to turn this alarming trend around. We must strive for more. And we must do so together, all hands on deck.

A cancer diagnosis does not only affect the patient, it also affects families, friends, everyone near the patient is caught up in this tsunami.

This diagnosis is the source of many feelings and emotions. Of sadness, anxiety, anger, denial, even helplessness.

Cancer concerns all of us, in one way or another. It does not distinguish between religions or race, sex or age, and that is why we all need to join forces, to make a difference, especially if one looks at the stark numbers looming in the future which suggest cancer cases will double in the EU by 2035.

We cannot be bystanders with no control over our lives or our health.

As policy makers, medical professionals, patients' advocates, industry and democratically elected representatives of Europe, we have enormous capacity for change.

The ambitious but realistic plan that I will present next year - the Europe Beats Cancer Plan - aims to harness this collective power.

So, thank you for inviting me to speak about a topic that is very close to my heart, that is an absolute top priority for myself, for this Commission.

I have worked with the European Parliament on cancer in the past - with positive results.

I have seen this building being lit up pink for the first breast cancer awareness event in October over 15 years ago, I have spoken in this house of democracy when the first resolution on breast cancer advocating for optimal access to care was passed, I have witnessed first hand the good work of MEPs which changed policies and patient lives.

We can now do much more. A step further with a Cancer Plan for Europe, joining forces, working in partnership to bring about change.

Working closely with all stakeholders, with industry, with the medical and other professions, with patients, who should always have a seat at the table when decisions about them are made.

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Ladies and gentlemen,

How do we slow and reverse the increase in cancer rates?

I certainly don't have all the answers to this. I do not think anyone does.

I do however know that parts of the answer can be found by focusing on a number of areas of particular importance.

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  • 1. 
    Health in all policies

We need to see cancer approached horizontally.

Cancer research and treatment have come a long way in recent years.

And Europe's Cancer Plan will build on this progress.

But cancer cannot only be tackled in the laboratory or in the doctor's surgery.

It is also addressed in schools, in the workplace, through public health policies, and with healthy lifestyle choices.

Cancer is no longer just the responsibility of the health sector.

For example, more and more studies are highlighting the connection between air pollution and lung cancer.

We need to recognise these connections - and act decisively.

And that means collaborating closely across a range of sectors and industries - including education, marketing, the environment, agriculture, transport, and research and innovation.

So, as a starting point, Europe's Cancer Plan must be based on a truly holistic, health-in-all-policies approach.

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  • 2. 
    Prevention: the best cure

Prevention will of course always be the best cure of all.

Cancer is a complex group of diseases - caused by the interaction of multiple factors, including environmental or lifestyle influences and infectious agents.

The more we understand the causes of cancer, the more we can get ahead of this disease.

Today, we know that up to 40% of cancer cases are preventable. That figure fills me with frustration.

But more than that it gives me optimism and determination.

The potential to save lives is immense.

And in order to realise this potential, we need to focus on:

  • tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse;
  • environmental factors;
  • vaccination;
  • physical exercise, and of course
  • healthy diets.

We don't have to look too far for inspiration. The European Cancer Leagues are doing incredible work.

When it comes to our environment and the food we eat, Europe's Cancer Plan will also rely on our work to improve the way we produce and consume food through the new Farm to Fork strategy that I will be presenting as part of the European Green Deal.

Whilst prevention is key, so is equal and fair access to treatment and care, for all patients.

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  • 3. 
    Screening and early diagnosis

We know from scientific evidence over the last decades that early diagnosis saves lives.

Member States have national screening programs for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer which have changed the realities of these diseases, leading to much better survival outcomes.

But we know these screening programs do not exist in all Member States leading to inequality of access and significantly different outcomes for European citizens, and this is unacceptable.

We need to do much more to raise awareness for early diagnosis.

  • 4. 
    Access to optimal treatment

All cancer patients have the fundamental right to optimal care, the same access to medicine and the same new innovative treatments, and participation in clinical trials.

I have held many discussions recently on how Europe's Cancer Plan should address these inequalities.

It is unacceptable in a European Union that seeks to represent all of its citizens, wherever they live in the EU, whatever their age, gender, or socio-economic background, that access to care is not equal for all.

Member States, the pharmaceutical industry, payers and healthcare providers, patient advocates all have a huge role to play here.

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  • 5. 
    Quality of life in survivorship

Too often, we focus on the tumour, and not on the person.

This needs to change, we seem to forget the trauma of the cancer patients journey, the trauma faced by the whole family. It may be lees visible but is often as powerful as the disease itself.

We have to ensure that patients, survivors, their families and carers have the support that they need - medical, psychological, and social care, to rehabilitation.

We know, for example, that patients receiving psychosocial support during and after treatment are more likely to have less anxiety.

In parallel, we must challenge any associated stigma or discrimination that might add to their suffering, that may lead to their discrimination at work, to their insurance policies

  • 6. 
    Palliative care

A frequent unspoken stage of the cancer patients journey, and where inequality of access is evident across and within Member States. We need to address the needs and work towards ensuring that palliative care is accessible to all

  • 7. 
    Better data and e-health

Of course, there are other areas that will require attention, too.

We need to maximise the potential of e-health - which can also help to reduce inequalities.

Indeed, my mission letter prioritises the creation of a European Health Data Space.

This will promote health-data exchange and support research on new preventive strategies, treatments and outcomes.

And the plan will be closely linked with the research mission on cancer in the future Horizon Europe programme.

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Next steps

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past years we have broken the silence that surrounds this disease. We have achieved a great deal but are still far from reaching our goals, and, still facing challenging inequalities in our Member States.

I myself was diagnosed many years ago with breast cancer, and, unfortunately more than once. I know first hand how working together can bring about change, how we can work in-partnership, that when we say all hands on deck we mean all hands on deck as this is a disease that concerns us all.

We have broken the silence, but voices need to be louder and stronger, more persistent and sustainable so that we can make a difference.

This is not about our personal experience as patients, it is about taking this personal experience and using it hand in hand with others, with you here, to bring about political change.

It is about making the personal political.

On 4 February - World Cancer Day - we will start a discussion on Europe's Cancer Plan. I would like this discussion to be as inclusive as possible and I would invite everyone involved and concerned to take part in order to contribute to making this plan as ambitious as possible.

I am glad to be here with you today upon the invitation of the network of young Members of the European Parliament. I am sure that you will be able to contribute positively to our work to reach out and include the younger generations in this process.

We need to get this right. To ensure the success of the plan, it is important that we have the broadest participation possible. Each and every voice will be listened to, everyone's opinion will matter

So I hope that you all participate fully in this process.

Share your invaluable expertise, experience and insight.

Help us to devise and implement an ambitious and far-reaching plan.

One that will have a concrete impact on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research, survivorship and palliative care.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and I look forward to working closely with you over the next five years.

Thank you all very much for your attention.