Conservatives champion colon cancer campaign launch
Posted, March 04, 2008 @ 00:00
An increase in screening programmes and awareness levels of colon cancer could save hundreds of thousands of lives, Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy said today, at the start of Europe's first colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness month.
Mr Sturdy is hosting a special CRC awareness campaign in the European Parliament this week, in a bid to reduce the number of needless deaths from the second most common cancer in Europe.
The CRC exhibition, which includes a giant, inflatable walk-through colon, will then set off on a Europe-wide tour to raise awareness of the disease.
WHO data shows incidents of colorectal cancer now exceed those of lung cancer in Europe, with more than 400,000 Europeans diagnosed every year. CRC is also the most treatable of all the digestive cancers, yet more than half of those diagnosed with the disease die.
Experts say deaths could be reduced by as much as 50 per cent by 2020 if positive action is taken now.
Mr Sturdy said:
"I am delighted to be part of this key initiative. Too many people die of this potentially highly treatable disease.
"Screening and awareness levels of colorectal cancer, including lifestyle and risk factors, are far too low, not only in the UK but throughout Europe.
"This Parliament and the European Commission have taken numerous steps to promote awareness and screening programmes for lung, breast and cervical cancers, but not colorectal. Hopefully by kick-starting this campaign, we can get political actors involved in developing a European strategy and help bring down the number of people who needlessly die from this disease."
Europe's first CRC awareness month is launched tomorrow (Wednesday) at the European Parliament by europacolon, an advocacy group that aims to prevent deaths from CRC and improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease.
- There will be a press conference at 10am when new data on standards of care, access to treatments and survival rates across the different Member States will be published.
- This will be followed by a photocall at 3pm at the exhibition space on the third floor where Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy and europacolon representatives will walk through the educational and interactive giant inflatable colon.