Cancer is one of the biggest health problems in Europe today. Every year nearly two million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer and the disease is responsible for over a quarter of all deaths in Europe. The European Union (EU) legislation increasingly influences the provision of cancer services in EU Member States. However, because of the poor survival rates associated with some cancers and the low incidence of others, there are millions of cancer patients in Europe who are not represented at the European level and therefore, European health policy makers never hear their views and opinions. Moreover, all too often consumer organisations, cancer charities and groups representing health professionals express views supposedly on behalf of European cancer patients, but without prior consultation with patients.

Established in 2003, The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) is the voice of the European cancer patient community, uniquely representing the interests of all cancer patient groups from the major to the rarer cancers. It has been established to represent the views of cancer patients in the European healthcare debate and to provide a forum for European cancer patients to exchange information and share best practice experiences.

ECPC is an independent, non-profit "umbrella" association registered under Dutch law. It is governed by an elected board of nine members most of whom must be cancer patients, survivors or carers.

At the 2011 AGM, the ECPC Board will present proposed revisions to the statutes, to bring them into line with European and Dutch legal requirements and to give the membership greater control over the organisation. You can download the proposed statutes and a summary of key changes.

Download the current ECPC Statutes (PDF)