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3.5 million people in the EU get cancer every year. people, and another 1.3 million, including children, adolescents, young parents, the disease leads to the grave. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU. Researchers say that with early detection of the disease, 40 percent. cases can be cured, says the press release.
Former EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, follows the principle that “prevention is better than cure”. However, only 3% goes to disease prevention. health funds. The Lisbon Treaty leaves the decision on health matters to the EU countries themselves. In cancer diagnosis tables, Lithuania ranks last in the EU, only 40-45% of these diseases are analyzed. population of the country.
Europe is aging, which requires urgent action. The first efforts were made in 1985. The then President of France, François Mitterrand, who had been overthrown by the disease, started the Europe Against Cancer program. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, lost an older sister with sarcoma as a teenager. February 4 of this year. urged EU countries to join forces in the fight against cancer. A new program to fight cancer has been launched. EU Member States are committed to reducing mortality from chronic diseases, including cancer.
The proposals prepared at the conference “New European strategy against cancer: solutions for Lithuania” held in Vilnius in June this year were positively evaluated by the leaders of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The President of the European Commission, U. von der Leyen, welcomed Lithuania’s efforts to become a leader in the fight against cancer and pledged his support for this initiative. The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, welcomed the conclusions of the conference and referred them to the new anti-cancer commission created in the European Parliament. The new committee intends to review the legal framework and evaluate measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The conference, which began in June, continued into the fall. Health experts highlighted their willingness to develop the project. The meeting resulted in a steering group consisting of former EU Commissioner V. Andriukaitis, Director of the Oncology Patients Association (POLA) Neringa Čiakienė, Acting Director of the Sonata Jarmalaitė National Cancer Institute, Director of the Kaunas University Clinic of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Vilnius University Elona Juozaitytė, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology Arvydas Laurinavičius, Member of the European Parliament Juozas Olekas, President of the Association of Cancer Patients Paulius Rakštys, Doctor of Vilnius University Hospital Santara Clinics Jelena Rascon, Ministry of Health, Representation of the European Union in Lithuania, Steponas Kairis Foundation, European Health and Sustainable Development representatives of the institute.
Vytenis Andriukaitis
V. Andriukaitis is convinced that the project must be in line with the main areas of EU health policy, with an emphasis on prevention, care for all, community participation, holistic approach and research. Early diagnosis and effective treatment would be facilitated by a group of institutions for the treatment of various stages of cancer that have already been diagnosed, that is, a unified system that would connect all primary, secondary and tertiary treatment institutions, the National Institute Cancer and referral centers. The program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases must comply with the standards and methodologies, quality requirements, availability, acceptability and suitability of the treatment. The oncocluster system must also connect palliative care facilities and communities.
The former EU commissioner believes that an institutional framework for cancer prevention is necessary to help reduce pollution in the environment and the workplace, and to promote a healthy lifestyle. The prevention program includes activities of ministries, Veterinary and Food Services, Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Public Health Centers and Offices, Occupational Safety Inspection, National Hygiene and Cancer Institutes, National Health Council, universities, municipalities, Associations Cancer Care and non-governmental organizations. The Cancer Research Program could join forces from the National Cancer Institute, universities and scientific valleys, which could join the EU research consortium programs.
POLA unites 100 thousand. people, and their ranks grow by 2.5 thousand every year. People with cancer are often on the sidelines of life. They can be helped to return to a full life thanks to the concerted efforts of society, the community, municipalities and medical institutions.
“Cancer is ‘reaping’ faster than new citizens are born,” says V. Andriukaitis. – We have a unique opportunity to save some people who are already sick but do not know it from the clutches of cancer. After preparing an innovative pilot project, it is possible to apply to the European Commission on behalf of Lithuania and, after receiving EU funding, become an example for other countries ”.
The writer Jurgas Ivanauskaitė, the singer Vytautas Kernagis, the editor Aurelijus Katkevičius and many young people were diagnosed with cancer that was not diagnosed in time and started treatment late.
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