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SPEECH/02/254
Anna Diamantopoulou
European Commissioner responsible for Employment and Social
Affairs
Inauguration of the exhibition "Breast
Cancer in Europe Today"
The European Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer (EPGBC)
and EUROPA DONNA (The European Breast Cancer Coalition),
Brussels, 4 June 2002
I would like to thank the European Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, and
especially Karin Jöns, for this excellent initiative.
And I would like to express my thanks and my appreciation to EUROPA DONNA for
their work. I cannot overstate the importance of having such an extensive network
fighting against breast cancer - in the EU and beyond.
Over the past few decades, we have made real progress in tackling cancer. But as
far as breast cancer is concerned, the situation remains unacceptable:
 Today, one European woman in ten is at risk of breast cancer. Which now
accounts for 20 per cent of all cancer-related deaths.
 Each year, an estimated 200,000 women in the European Union are diagnosed
with breast cancer – and in most countries this figure is on the rise.
 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in all women - and the
leading cause of death in women between 35 and 55.
Yet, we know that many thousands of lives could be spared across Europe through
early detection. This is why widespread education, awareness-raising and screening
programmes are vital. Particularly for women over the age of 50. We must convince
more women to have regular check-ups and screening. A diagnosis of breast
cancer is not a death sentence, 90 per cent of women can be cured if the tumour is
detected in a very early stage.
Let me mention Sweden, the Netherlands, UK and Finland as positive examples
where national, population-based screening programmes are-up and-running. I
strongly believe that the rest of Europe must follow their lead.
The European Union is fully committed to fighting and preventing breast cancer in
Europe. And the 'Europe against cancer' programme – running since 1986 - has
made good progress. Establishing, developing, and disseminating best practice in
breast cancer screening throughout Europe. And supporting mass national
screening programmes.
Over the past ten years, the EU has set down, and regularly updated, guidelines for
quality assurance in mammography screening. We know that screening can reduce
the mortality rate by 30 per cent, yet these guidelines are a requirement in only
eight of the 15 Member States. I strongly urge, therefore, those Member States who
have not yet done so to take these guidelines on board.
Let me also mention the new EU programme on public health, which will run for 6
years from 1 January next year, and will include the fight against cancer as a key
priority. Indeed, I welcome the conciliation agreement which was announced just a
few weeks ago, paving the way for adoption of this programme.
We must all continue our fight against breast cancer. To work together, with
Member States and NGOs, to achieve the same standards across Europe within an
integrated policy approach.
Because there are enormous disparities across Europe in terms of access to
diagnostic and treatment facilities and support services, not only between countries,
but also between regions and even from one hospital to the next.
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Breast cancer survival rates differ between countries. In the UK, the Netherlands
and in Scandinavia, breast cancer mortality has decreased since the beginning of
the nineties by 20 to 30 per cent. In other countries the progress has been far less
positive.
Breast cancer outcomes are beginning to change – but only for some, depending
on who they are and where they happen to live. Such disparities can never, ever be
acceptable to us.
 All European women – in all countries and all regions - must have equal access
to high quality screening, diagnostic, and treatment facilities.
 We must continue to exchange best practice in screening for breast cancer as
well as in prevention, diagnosis and treatment throughout Europe.
 An organised nation-wide, population-based screening system is essential, as
are high quality population-based cancer registries. For this reason, the
Commission is funding the European Network of Cancer Registries.
 We must promote breast centres or breast units and the EU wide networking of
these centres.
 We must ensure the availability and access of better information and data on all
aspects related to breast cancer across Europe.
 We must improve co-ordination and publicity of research related to breast cancer
across Europe.
I believe this exhibition can contribute to raising awareness and empowering
European women to become better informed and more proactive about their health.
And I congratulate you again on your initiative.
I look forward to the public hearing your group is planning for October. I can assure
you that you have my full personal and political support in this, and in all the work
that you do, in promoting the health of our citizens and fighting the battle against
breast cancer in Europe today.
Thank you very much.
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