Belgian implementation of recent EC initiatives.

Abstract

The European Commission has launched this year their Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), » a political commitment to turn the tide against cancer and another stepping stone towards a strong European Health Union and a more secure, better-prepared and more resilient EU.” The EBCP is organized in a number of flagships, policy actions and recommendations, which are relevant to making a significant change to the current level of cancer control and care in Europe. These initiatives could bring on important improvements in quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer control and care and be a major step forwards in reducing inequalities across the EU. Eventually, regardless of the level of initial political support, they face a number of obstacles when they need to be implemented and translated into concrete policy actions. The ECBP offers MS to obtain support from the EC to level these obstacles. Next to the EBCP, the European Commission als launches a Mission on Cancer: save more than 3 million lives, improve life expectancy, achieve a thorough understanding of cancer, prevent what is preventable, optimise diagnosis and treatment, support the quality of life of all people exposed to cancer and ensure equitable access to the above across Europe. A mission in this area will help set common goals aiming to reverse these frightening trends in cancer. By joining efforts across Europe, the Mission together with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan will prevent cancer cases, allow for earlier diagnosis, reduce suffering and improve cancer patients’ quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Belgium will launch soon its EBCP/MoC Mirrorgroup initiative project aiming to maximally benefit from the EBCP and MoC opportunities. The Mirrorgroup aims bringing together all stakeholders, patients/citizens, health professionals, scientists, industry, policy makers ... to define together how these EC initiatives can help to improve cancer control/care in Belgium but also can facilitate sharing our experiences/knowledge/expertise with other countries. The Cancer Centre will organize and manage this initiative all along the EBCP/MoC and we will present here our ideas on how to realize this endeavor.