The European Union should lead the way in beating cancer – Doherty

The European Commission must help to better fund and support Member States in beating cancer, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

The EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, which aims to tackle the entire disease pathway, was published in 2021 and has not been updated since.

Senator Regina Doherty, Dublin European Election candidate for Fine Gael, said, “A clear disparity exists in standards of access to care for cancer patients across Europe. This isn’t just wrong, it is fundamentally at odds with the principles of equality upheld by the European Union

“The EU’s Beating Cancer Plan was published in 2021 with a focus on prevention, early detection, treatment, and quality of life, as well as a whole-of-Commission financial commitment of €4 billion. This plan needs to be updated and boosted with more funding to make sure it is as effective as possible.

“The EU has the capacity to make real difference in improving cancer outcomes for people across Europe, including here in Ireland, by mobilising its resources to tackle cancer in a more coherent, effective and direct way.

“Addressing this issue is a top priority for me, and I am committed to elevating it on the European agenda. Each year, 2.7 million people across the European Union are diagnosed with cancer, including 43,000 in Ireland alone. This devastating disease touches virtually everyone, directly or indirectly, underscoring the urgent need for unified action at the European level.

“While much of the plan remains extremely worthwhile, it has not been updated since 2021, which was at the height of a global pandemic.

“A number of ambitious targets were set initially, including ensuring that 90% of the EU population who qualify for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings are offered screening by 2025, and also that 90% of eligible patients should have access to National Comprehensive Cancer Centres linked through a new EU Network by 2030.

“The efficacy of our funding efforts has similarly been compromised by recent inflationary pressures. To meet our objectives, the Commission must reassess and enhance the EU Beating Cancer Plan, potentially through increased financial support.

“These are the issues that matter. If elected as an MEP for Dublin, I will be committed to championing this cause and I will urge the European Parliament to demand decisive action from the Commission.” Senator Doherty concluded.