Meddelelse fra Kommisjonen til Europaparlamentet, Rådet, Det europeiske økonomiske og sosiale utvalg og Regionskomiteen om tiltak mot kreft: europeisk partnerskap
Område: Helse
>1--break-->
BAKGRUNN (fra kommisjonsmeddelelsen, engelsk utgave)
Despite the progress in recent times, cancer still takes an enormous toll on European society. After circulatory diseases, cancer was the second most common cause of death in 2006, accounting for two out of ten deaths in women and three out of ten deaths in men, equating to approximately 3.2 million EU citizens diagnosed with cancer each year.
The legal basis for action in the field of health largely falls on the Member States (Article 152 of the EC Treaty). However, as underlined by the Health Strategy 'Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013', there are areas where joint EU action can bring considerable added value in tackling major health challenges more effectively, through information sharing, and exchange of expertise and best practice [1].
The European Parliament and Council of the European Union have also shown their political commitment and given strategic direction to future European cancer activities. On 10 April 2008, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on combating cancer in the enlarged EU, and Council conclusions on reducing the European burden of cancer were adopted on 10 June 2008 [2],[3].
On this basis, the European Commission proposes a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer for the period 2009-2013 to support the Member State in their efforts to tackle cancer by providing a framework for identifying and sharing information, capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control, and by engaging relevant stakeholders across the European Union in a collective effort. As demonstrated by the existing stark differences and inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality throughout the Community, there is considerable added value in working together on a European level to prevent and control cancer more effectively.
This Communication broadly sets out the objectives for the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer, the identified areas and actions to be further determined and taken forward through a European partnership approach, the proposed structure of the Partnership and the anticipated next steps.
1 Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013 - COM(2007) 630.
2 European Parliament Resolution of 10 April 2008 on Combating Cancer in the Enlarged European Union, P6-TA(2008)0121.
3 Council of the European Union, Council Conclusions on Reducing the Burden of Cancer, 2876th Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Affairs Council Meeting, Luxembourg, 10 June 2008.
