ECPC Press Release - 1 May 2007

Brussels, 01.05.2007

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the European Union, second only to lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Many of the colorectal cancer deaths occur needlessly, as they could be prevented through screening and early detection. An introduction of population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes, following the Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening of 2003, has recently started in some member states, others plan to follow.

However, scientifically sound best practice guidelines for quality assurance of CRC screening have yet to be developed. Such guidelines will now be drawn up by a consortium of experts, supported by the Commission, along the lines of the work which has already been carried out for breast and cervical cancer. For more information see
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_projects/2005/action3/action3_2005_17_en.htm

This welcome initiative will ensure that quality assurance standards are developed and shared across the 27 Members States of the European Union.

"We are pleased that ECPC will be collaborating with experts in this EU funded project. Cancer patients want their fellow citizens avoid cancer whenever possible. We are keen that such guidelines be developed speedily and will vigorously advocate that colon cancer screening, along EU quality screening guidelines, be made available to citizens in all Member States according to the Council Recommendation. Colorectal cancer if detected early is preventable. This European initiative will save many lives", says Lynn Faulds Wood, President of ECPC, Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign in the UK and a colon cancer survivor.

For further information please contact:

Notes to the Editor

The European Cancer Patient Coalition was founded in 2003 under the slogan “Nothing about Us, Without Us. It is committed to improving cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis and best treatment, reducing disparity and inequality across the EU. ECPC seeks to ensure that policy makers, politicians, health professionals, the media and the general public recognise the serious nature of cancer and the need for concerted action to reduce unnecessary death and suffering. Further information can be found at www.ecpc-online.org.

Cancer in Europe: Key facts and figures

• There are more than 2 million new cases and more than 1.1 million cancer deaths in Europe each year
• Every day 5214 Europeans are diagnosed with cancer and 3185 die from their disease
• Lung cancer is the commonest form of cancer, followed closely by colorectal cancer
• Lung, colorectal and breast cancer account for two-fifths of the entire European cancer population
• Most of the other cancer are considered rare diseases according to the EU criteria affecting not more than 5/10,000 people in the EU
• The number of Europeans with cancer will increase dramatically over the next 20 years mainly due to the ageing population