The fight against cancer is one of the most important as well as the most challenging tasks currently being tackled at EU level in the healthcare sector. The EC laid out an ambitious roadmap when it presented its plan against cancer in February 2021. Despite all the positive developments: the fight against cancer is a mammoth task that calls upon all parties to do much more and, especially, to do it together.

This is the conclusion of the "Getting a grip on cancer” online event that was organised by European Representation of German Social Insurance together with the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds on 14 June 2021. Dr Doris Pfeiffer, chair of the board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, Dr Peter Liese, Member of the European Parliament, and Dr Stefan Schreck, from the Directorate General for Health in the EC, discussed the main topics of prevention, early detection and supplying medicinal products in the fight against cancer in an exciting and constructive debate with over 130 participants.

Dr Doris Pfeiffer emphasised the importance of fighting cancer at the beginning of the discussion. 500,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Germany. This is why the topic is, rightly, high on the political agenda both in Germany and in Europe. The chair of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds welcomed the EU’s cancer plan as it included a vast number of further measures for improving prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment as well as quality of life – all of which support the efforts of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds.

Dr Stefan Schreck pointed out that the European action plan for combating cancer is holistic and it addresses all policy areas with its "Health in All Policies" approach. According to Schreck, if the interaction that worked well here was transferred into a structured form, this would also advance the fight against cancer. The promised investments were also assessed positively: he also reported that the EU will be providing around four billion euros for implementing its cancer plan, some of which will come from its EU4Health programme.

However, Dr Peter Liese still sees a need for action with regard to preventive measures, such as increased labelling and information, curbing advertising or tax regulations for tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods. Liese also stated that according to a recent study, almost 40 per cent of all cancers could be prevented through comprehensive prevention.

Implementing early detection programmes still remains inadequate. There is a huge potential here when it comes to access, quality and quantity. Many Member States are making use of just three per cent of the financial leeway made available by the EU, said MEP Manuela Ripa in her video message. However, Liese explained that this objective is clearly laid down in the cancer plan: The EU aims to help its Member States to provide screening for 90 per cent of EU citizens eligible for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer screening by 2025. 

With regard to cancer treatment, Pfeiffer also called for increased exchange of best practice examples at European level, expansion of research and development and the use of data, especially in the fight against rare forms of cancer. She also stated that health insurers must also play their role in addressing the policyholders.

Finally, ways of achieving financially viable and fair supplies of cancer medicines was also discussed. Liese also said that Member States need uniform standards regarding the reliable effectiveness of medicines, which is why the authorisation procedures at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are so important for patients. Pfeiffer called for transparency in R&D costs as well as alternative pricing models.

The EC now has a duty to act, said Ilka Wölfle, the Director of German Social Insurance, when she summed up the discussion. She expects the EU government to provide a clear framework and proposals that will create the tailwind that social security institutions need for successful work, as do all of the stakeholders at European level.

Check out our timeline on Twitter at @dsv_europa for another event recap.