Less red tape 'key' to future EU cancer research

The gap between the EU and US in cancer research expenditure has “substantially” closed, according to a new report.

The report, unveiled in parliament on Tuesday by the European cancer research manager’s forum (ECRM), found an increase in the amount spent on cancer research per capita across Europe.

The average amount spent on cancer research in the last 12 months was €3.42, a 34 per cent rise from the previous year.

The corresponding figure in the US was €17.61, five times higher than Europe. The report points out, howver, that in 2005 the gap was seven times greater.

ECRM chairman, Professor Richard Sullivan, said, “Contrary to public perception, a phenomenal amount of cancer research is carried out in Europe.”

"A major part of this survey has been its ability to estimate the cancer research funding flowing through national healthcare and university systems in Europe.

"But there has also been a real increase in some EU member state funding while the US shrinks in real terms."

Despite such grounds for optimism, he appealed for less bureaucracy which, he says, is "stifling" cancer research.

"The impact of regulatory policy on research funding is a critical issue for all countries."

His comments were echoed by UK Socialist MEP Arlene McCarthy, chair of parliament’s internal market and consumer protection committee.

She said, “The report gives EU policymakers a clearer picture of the cancer research environment at a time when cancer is being given increasing importance on the agenda of European and national policymakers."

Cancer is a major public health problem in Europe – one in three Europeans will be diagnosed with cancer in an average lifetime and one in four deaths is attributable to cancer.

Parliament has been particularly active in ensuring that cancer is funded under the European commission’s research framework programmes.

FP6 gave €450m to cancer research and the new research programme, adopted last year and which runs from 2007 to 2013, will also have a focus on cancer.

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