KELLY SUPPORTS EU CANCER SCREENING TESTS

Issued : Sunday 28 February, 2010
Areas : Munster, Tipperary

Ambitious plans being developed by the European Union to achieve 100% screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer by 2013 have been welcomed by Alan Kelly MEP.

 

MEP Kelly said “Cancer is one of the main causes of death in Ireland and it has touched almost every family. Initiatives such as this one must be implemented in Ireland without

delay if we are to curb the alarming rise in cancer cases.

 

It is shocking to think that one in three people in the EU will be diagnosed with cancer during their life-time but if this plan is finalised it will be a significant step in the right direction.

 

Current plans by the Government aim only to commence free screening for the 60-69 age group in 2012.  This falls dramatically short of EU goals and we must not allow ourselves to be left behind when it comes to healthcare for our citizens.”

 

The new targets are contained in a draft report produced by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament.

 

The report, which will be voted on the by the Parliament in May aims for all Member States to have integrated cancer plans by the end of 2013, which should result in a 15% reduction in cancer cases by 2020.

 

Based on current figures this would lead to a reduction of over 500,000 cases across the EU including Ireland.

 

One of the most significant targets contained in the report entitled the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer is to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer by achieving 100% coverage in terms of screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer by providing 125 million examinations to EU citizens per year.