On the basis of the its Decision from June 2014, the European Commission established in September 2016 an expert group on cancer control to assist the Commission in the preparation of legislative proposals and policy initiatives concerning cancer. The members of the Expert Group include representatives of the member states. ECPC, as the largest cancer patient organisation, was represented in the Expert Group by its President, Prof Francesco de Lorenzo and its Vice President, Kathi Apostolidis. The members of the Expert Group are representatives of the member states, oncology related scientific societies, cancer patient organisations and civil society representatives.
The Expert Group was established to respond to the need for improved coordination among member states on cancer control. The Expert Group will have an advisory role and will assist the European Commission with the preparation of legal and policy documents, guidelines and recommendations on cancer control, guidelines on cancer data including epidemiology, cancer screening, quality assurance and information on cancer prevention, clinical cancer research and cross-cutting themes related to cancer.
Moreover, the expert group was expected to facilitate the coordination and exchange of information between Member States of the European Union and advise the European Commission on the implementation of Union actions and suggest improvements on the measures taken.