The European Parliament formally adopted last night a written declaration tabled by Liz Lynne (UK, Lib Dem) calling for renewed action in the fight against breast cancer.

Liz Lynne and three other MEPs from different parties launched the Declaration calling for a sustained Europe-wide campaign to beat breast cancer by implementing EU breast cancer guidelines. The disease kills nearly 90,000 women in the European Union every year.

Many leading charities believe lives could be saved if EU guidelines are implemented effectively. These call for nationwide breast screening, multidisciplinary specialist breast units in each Member State and for the development of national cancer registers. Liz's declaration also calls for the European Commission to support studies to look at whether screening is useful for women over 69 years of age and under 50.

The declaration has now been signed by over 369 MEPs thus constituting a majority of Parliamentarians.

Liz Lynne said: "This is fantastic news for the campaign against this killer disease.

"It is shocking that over 331,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer across the EU according to the most recent yearly figures, which shows how far we still have to go.

"Some countries, including the UK, have made progress in some areas, but the EU guidelines are one of the best ways to raise standards across the board, at the moment the disparities in screening, diagnosis and death rates between EU countries is frightening.

According to the European Commission, some 32,000 European deaths from breast cancer could be prevented annually if these guidelines were implemented effectively across the EU.

"Mandatory screening is one of the most important ways to reduce deaths which is why it is important that best practice in this area is shared and for us to look into whether this may be beneficial for older women than the current EU guidelines specify".

Notes:
Liz Lynne MEP is Co- Chair of the MEPs against Cancer interest in the European Parliament. In Europe breast cancer still claims the lives of more women than any other cancer. According to WHO, at least one third of all cancer cases are preventable. Excess body weight and physical inactivity are known risk factors that account for 25-33 percent of breast cancer cases.