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What is the MEPs against Cancer (MAC) group?

See our next MAC Events here.

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18/10/2012

Newsflash

MAC MEPS SEND OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Members of the MEPs Against Cancer group in the European Parliament have expressed their concerns about the potential delay to the tobacco Products Directive following the recent departure of Mr John Dalli. The MEPs have stated that:

"We believe that it is imperative that the Commission proposal for the Tobacco Products Directive is still made public this year implemented in its original time frame with in April 2013."

The letter is signed by Alojz Peterle (EPP), former President of Slovenia and President of the MAC Group, Nessa Childers and Pavel Poc (both S&D)

The full text of the letter is available here

The MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) group is an informal group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at the European Parliament committed to actions against cancer, and is a re-launch of the previous MAC group which was active until end 2008.

MAC is an all-party informal group of Members of the European Parliament  (MEPs) committed to promoting action on cancer as an EU priority and harnessing European health policy to that end.

As the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer, MAC will focus on prevention. MAC will of course also be involved in other cancer areas including research, information and healthcare when relevant opportunities arise.

Through quarterly roundtable discussions between  MEPs, other policy makers and invited guests, the group aims to generate the political will needed to fight cancer in Europe.

The MAC Secretariat is provided by ECL.

The Facts Speak for Themselves

Cancer is not one disease but over 200 different  types of disease, ranging from the well-known big cancer killers to rarer conditions such as multiple myeloma and chronic myeloid leukaemia. One in three Europeans is diagnosed with cancer, and the disease kills one in four people.

Every family in Europe is touched in some way by this devastating disease. In 2008, Europe saw 3.4 million new cases, an increase of 7.4% in new cancer cases from two years before.

In 2008, there were 1,867,683 deaths, of which 55.9% were in men and 44.1% in women.  The biggest killers of the 1.8 million deaths in 2006 were lung, colorectal, breast, and stomach cancers. Beside the big killers, other forms of cancer are responsible for 50% of cancer deaths.

There are wide variations in cancer rates across Europe, with lung cancer remaining the biggest killer. Bowel (colorectal) cancer is equally common (13%), but claimed a smaller proportion of deaths (11.9%). In men, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer, followed by prostate cancer. Breast cancer is by far the most common form of the disease among women, accounting for 27.4% of all cases and 17.4% of cancer deaths in women  within the 27 member states of the European Union.

There are also wide variations in outcomes and significant inequalities depending on geographic location, access to best quality care or access to information within the 27 member states of the European Union . Cancer survival is significantly lower in eastern European countries, including the new Member States.

MEPs and national politicians can join to help us end unnecessary death and suffering from cancer!

“We politicians are privileged in being able to support EU citizens and patients, in particular in their fight against cancer. But it needs political will. We MEPs can help build that political will. Please join us in our fight against cancer.” - MEP Alojz Peterle, MAC President

“By working together as politicians we can help to bring tangible improvements to people's lives. 1 in 3 people are destined to get cancer at today's rates. By focusing on prevention we can work together to decrease this number for ourselves, and for future generations." - MEP Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, MAC Vice-President

''Today all of us fear cancer will affect ourselves, or one of our family members. We know one in three Europeans are diagnosed with a form of cancer. Yet many cancers can be prevented. Much depends on how well we are informed about prevention measures and if we are willing to change our lifestyle. MEPs have a special responsibility to raise awareness and fight for cancer prevention measures.'' - MEP Nessa Childers, MAC Vice-President

"Prevention is the most cost-effective long term strategy. it is essential that we roll out the European Code Against Cancer across all member states and work together to encourage and support people to  adhere to it. We MEPs can set an example and provide leadership in our own”. - MEP Liz Lynne, Former MEP MAC Vice-President

JOIN US and be among the MEPs making a difference in cancer control!

Are you an MEP and would like to be the ambassador for a specific theme or would like to host a cancer-related relate with our support, or would like further information about the MEPs Against Cancer group?  We are also looking to build MP groups at the national level!  Please contact us at the below:

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Next MAC Events

4 December 2012:  Sunbed Use and Skin Cancer Prevention: Status, Gaps, and Calls for Action

Past MAC Events

13 September 2012: Equality for Patients with Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases in Europe.

27 March 2012: Cancer and the Contribution of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

24 January 2012:  Cancer and Ageing

29 November 2011: European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC):  next steps

7 December 2010: Alcohol and Cancer: Research Evidence and Policy Implications

29 September 2010:  Strengthening Ties between National Governments, the European Parliament and the European Commission 

 (Selected photos from meetings are on our MAC Facebook page.)

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 12:05