Francesco de Lorenzo, ECPC President, has recently written an article regarding cancer survivorship realities in Europe. Although approximately 25% of deaths in Europe are caused by cancer, the patients recovering from this disease are not given due attention. ECPC is trying to change this. Francesco de Lorenzo reports in his article that the European Union has recognised the need to invest resources in meeting cancer patients’ needs, partly due to the efforts made by the European Cancer Patient Coalition in cancer patient advocacy.
In the past ECPC has acted at national and international level in order to develop a comprehensive cancer survivors care plan and now it advocates the need for a joint Summit in the European Parliament with partners from the United States.
For the future, Francesco de Lorenzo hopes that an ‘EU Cancer Survivorship Plan‘ can be elaborated with a European Parliament Resolution as a first step.