EU member states urged to implement cancer screening programmes

A leading MEP has said it is "scandalous” that only seven member states have implemented cervical cancer screening programmes.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Lithuanian MEP Jolanta Dickute said that implementation of “high quality” screening in all countries could save the lives of over 14,000 women every year.

“Cervical cancer is not the most common cancer among women but what is unique about this cancer is that we know exactly how to prevent almost every case of this deadly disease,” she said.

“We have known since the 1960's that organised cervical cancer screening programmes can prevent up to 80 per cent of cervical cancers and it is a scandal that only seven European countries have put these programmes in place.”

The ALDE deputy, a member of parliament’s cervical cancer interest group, said a “major barrier” to addressing this cancer is a lack of resources available to implement screening programmes.

“New member states should be encouraged to make greater use of structural funds for investing in the health sector,” she added.

She was speaking during a one-day conference for improved EU-wide cancer screening, organised by the MEPs Against Cancer group and the Parliament Magazine.

She said that while a “remarkable” potential existed to reduce the disease, “the majority of women in Europe have no access to it.”

Another keynote speaker, Christa Maar, president of the Munich-based Felix Burda Foundation, told the packed conference that only 14 member states have implemented national screening programmes for colon cancer.

“This is particular worrying given that this is the second most common type of cancer in Europe but is one which can be prevented almost totally if there is an early diagnosis,” said Maar, whose son Felix died from cancer at the age of 33.

UK Liberal MEP Liz Lynne, who co-hosted the event, condemned "shocking" differences in the levels of and participation in cancer screening programmes.

"The statistics speak for themselves. Screening saves lives and with more cooperation at EU and member state level, more could be saved."

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