European Parliament resolution on World Cancer Day.

On 12 February, on the occasion of World Cancer Day (4 February), the European Parliament adopted a resolution, by a broad majority, on the further implementation of “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan”. In it, Members reaffirm their solidarity with all patients, survivors and their families, as well as with healthcare and research professionals across Europe who are fighting cancer.

Cancer as a continuing challenge for Europe

According to the European Cancer Information System, around 2.7 million new cases are diagnosed in the EU each year, and more than 1.3 million people die from cancer. Cancer-related healthcare expenditure has more than doubled since 1995 and amounted to approximately 120 billion euros in 2023. Due to demographic developments, a further significant increase is expected by 2050. At the same time, there is considerable potential for prevention: up to 40 per cent of all cancer cases could be avoided through effective measures.

Financing in the next MFF

A key focus of the resolution is the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). Parliament criticises that no earmarked funding for health has so far been provided and calls for a stand-alone EU health programme with its own budget. Without reliable financing, as emphasised in the political plenary debate, political commitments risk remaining ineffective. Investments are called for in prevention, screening, vaccination programmes, workforce development and oncology data systems.

Access to innovation and reducing inequalities

The resolution also clearly highlights existing inequalities. There are significant differences between Member States in prevention, screening, treatment and follow-up care. Parliament is particularly critical of unequal access to innovative cancer medicines. Despite EU authorisation, new therapies are not available everywhere, with noticeable differences in access to medicines and survival rates between Western and Eastern Europe. Gender-specific inequalities and disadvantages in rare cancers are also emphasised. Members call for equitable access to therapies and the expansion of cross-border healthcare.

Prevention, equality and protection of survivors

Parliament also calls for the consistent implementation of recommendations on cancer screening and vaccine-preventable cancers. In the debate, alcohol and tobacco consumption were particularly highlighted as key, avoidable risk factors. There were differences over the exact wording. Amendments that – in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) – sought to state that there is no risk-free level of alcohol consumption or to refer to a clear link between alcohol and cancer did not obtain a majority, mainly due to opposition from the EPP and other conservative Members. This conflict was politically expected. Issues of alcohol and tobacco regulation have for years been among the most sensitive areas of European health policy, not least because of the strong influence of related economic interests.

In addition to prevention and evidence-based communication against disinformation, Parliament also reaffirms the need to better protect cancer survivors. The “right to be forgotten” should be strengthened across the EU in order to avoid financial discrimination in access to loans and insurance and to ensure long-term social participation.

World Cancer Day once again as a political signal

As in previous years, Parliament deliberately uses World Cancer Day to bring the issue back to the forefront. In doing so, it builds on the intensive preparatory work of the previous legislative term. With the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA), Parliament laid the foundations for a comprehensive European cancer strategy in 2020–2022. Its final report fed into the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan in 2022. Under the then Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, cancer policy was one of the EU’s central health initiatives. The current resolution underlines that the Cancer Plan is not a closed chapter, but continues to require political attention, financing and coordination – despite shifting political priorities.