“Let’s get it right – for the patient.” – Dr. Clair Watts, EONS

On March 15^th 2011, stakeholders gathered to celebrate the role of women in the battle against cancer. In honour of the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the seventh FACE workshop in the European Parliament focused on women involved in policy-making at the European level, and those involved in patient support and advocacy.

The chair, Polish MEP Sidonia Jędrzejewska, opened the workshop by stating that cancer is an issue which goes beyond political division, and indifference is impossible. Indicating that 2011 is a symbolic year for gender equality, she asserted that the issues of gender and equality cannot be divided. She urged patients and advocates to demand more from politicians, defining the MEP’s role as an ‘instrument’, enabling better policy.

Despina Spanou, a Policy Advisor for DG Sanco at the European Commission, spoke about the EC’s commitment to the fight against cancer. Acknowledging the importance of women’s roles as mothers and teachers, she outlined the Commission’s multi-layer approach to cancer, encompassing screening and diagnosis initiatives, and prevention measures (including addressing lifestyle factors on a pan-European level). She spoke at length about the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC), which will hold its first Open Forum in Madrid in June this year.

Dr. Isabel Oriol, President of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) outlined the activities and achievements of her organisation. They are currently focusing on colorectal cancer, working with other organisations in an Alliance for Colorectal Cancer in Spain. Mortality could be reduced by 30-35% if the disease were diagnosed earlier.

President of Europa Donna, the European Breast Cancer Patient Coalition, Prof. Bettina Borisch welcomed the efforts of other female advocates in breaking the taboo and speaking out about breast cancer. Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals and other demographic factors, she called for more education for professionals, and changes to the healthcare and social care systems. Only through working together as a team we can overcome cancer – we need cooperation, not heroism.

Offering a professional’s perspective, Dr. Clair Watts, Executive Director of the European Oncology Nurses’ Society, reiterated the importance of training for nurses and other professionals, and the need for better team-work and interdisciplinary engagement between different professional groups. Through a system of grants and awards, EONS aims to reward and encourage the work of oncology nurses.

The final patient testimony of the day came from Brazilian journalist Ivna Maluly. During her battle with breast cancer, she was honest and open with her son, now five years old, who asked many questions. One of these was, ‘Where is your boob, mommy?’ This became the title of a book written to help young children to understand and deal with their mother’s breast cancer.

The Seventh FACE workshop brought together women active in the field of cancer from across Europe, covering patient support, advocacy, awareness-raising and policy-making. These women’s efforts have inspired many, including ECPC, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate their work and achievements. However, as the speeches clearly indicated, there is more work to be done to improve cancer care for all, addressing inequalities based on geography and on gender as well as other initiatives to empower and inform patients to take control of their illnesses and actively work for better treatments tomorrow.

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