Lets put the Patient First! The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights: A Catalyst for Change Mark Lawler ECC Project Lead and Queen’s University Belfast Francesco de Lorenzo President European Cancer Patient Coalition

Burden of cancer in Europe Cancer is the leading cause of premature death in 28 of 53 European Countries 1 Aging population will underpin significant increases over the next 30 years 2 Significant disparities between different European countries 3 1 WHO Europe Health Report 2012 (2013); 2 Rechel et al, Lancet (2013); 3 De Angelis et al Lancet Oncology 2014

Increasing cancer burden in Europe Will impact not only on patients and their families, but will also be a significant issue for healthcare systems and for the future economic competitiveness of Europe. Economic burden of cancer in Europe is €124 billion (2009) 1 1 Luengo Fernandez R et al Lancet Oncology (2013)

The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights A charter to challenge the current inequalities that cancer patients in Europe are experiencing on a daily basis 1, 2 A catalyst for change and empowerment for cancer patients 1 Lawler et al Lancet Oncology, 4 th February 2014; 2 Lawler et al The Oncologist, 4 th February 2014

The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights Lawler M, Le Chevalier T, Murphy MJ, Banks I, Conte PF, De Lorenzo F, Meunier F, Pinedo HM, Selby P, Armand JP, Barbacid M, Barzach M, Bergh J, Bode G, Cameron D, de Braud F, de Gramont A, Diehl V, Diler S, Erdem S, Fitzpatrick JM, Geissler J, Hollywood D, Højgaard L, Horgan D, Jassem J, Johnson PW, Kapitein P, Kelly J, Kloezen S, La Vecchia C, Löwenberg B, Oliver K, Sullivan R, Tabernero J, Van de Velde CJ, Wilking N, Wilson R, Zielinski C, zur Hausen H, Johnston PG.

The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights Article 1: The right of every European Citizen to receive the most accurate information and to be proactively involved in his/her care

The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights Article 2: The right of every European citizen to equal and timely access to appropriate specialised care, underpinned by research.

The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights Article 3: The right of every European citizen to receive care in health systems that ensure improved outcomes, patient rehabilitation, best quality of life and affordable health care

European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights: Where do we go from here? Partnership Publish and Launch Bill of Rights Promulgate Implement

European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights: Where do we go from here? Partnership Publish and Launch Bill of Rights Promulgate Implement The Challenge!

A CALL TO ACTION A MANDATE FOR IMPROVED CANCER CARE FOR THE EUROPEAN CITIZEN

On World Cancer Day We call on MEPs to: To make cancer a priority on the political agenda and to address the disparities that cancer patients and families face every single day of their lives throughout Europe (as agreed in the “European Parliament resolution on combating cancer in the enlarged European Union” (B6-0132/2008) of April 4 th 2008).

On World Cancer Day We call on MEPs to: To address the unacceptable disparities through the establishment of an EU Cancer Plan which guarantees an improved standard of care for European cancer patients according to Article 20 of the Council Conclusions on reducing the burden of cancer (Luxembourg, 10 June 2008): “which will address all aspects of comprehensive cancer control, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care through a multidisciplinary approach and consider the appropriate framework for effective cancer control policies and sharing best practices in cancer prevention and care”. (the European Guide for Quality National Cancer Control Programmes recently approved by EPAAC might facilitate the EU institutions actions in this field).

On World Cancer Day We call on MEPs to: Uphold Right of European Citizen to improved care Engage proactively with ECC Adopt European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights Strengthen a cross party MEPs against Cancer (M.A.C) Alliance Create a European Cancer Survivorship Plan

On World Cancer Day We call on European Commission to: Place cancer high on the political agenda Support research excellence and its translation Present an EU Action Plan on Cancer

Remember In 2012, three European citizens died every minute from this deadly disease By 2035, there will be a cancer death in Europe every 10 seconds Cancer respects no borders We need to act NOW!