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
"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, MAC Vice-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
JOIN US and be among the MEPs making a difference in cancer control!
If you are an MEP and would like to be the ambassador for a specific theme as a Vice President, or contribute to our timely issues and quarterly roundtable meetings, or would like further information about the MEPs Against Cancer group, please contact us at the below:
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The first official formal meeting of the new MAC group took place in September at the European Parliament. We thank the many MEPs who supported the nomination of ECL for MAC.
Next MAC Events
March/April (date tbc): Use of Complimentary Alternative Medicines and Cancer. Meeting of the CAM and MAC groups, jointly hosted by Sirpa Pietikäinen and Alojz Peterle CONFIRMED
May 25 to 31: Watch out for a series of events from our collaborating partners for the European Week Against Cancer 2012 CONFIRMED
September (date tbc): Equality for Patients with Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases in Europe, a review of European Legislation PRECISE TITLE TO BE CONFIRMED
Some Previous MAC Events
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
(Photos are re now on our MAC Facebook page.)
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 January 2012 20:50
