Fighting cancer - celebrating 10 years of MAC

The MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) group is celebrating its 10th anniversary and 30 years of the European Action Against Cancer. One of the reasons for establishing MAC was inequalities in access to cancer care and treatment between and within the Member States.

Common efforts to fight cancer

Founded as a parliamentary forum for policy-makers from across the political spectrum, the MAC discusses various aspects of European policy against cancer, including promoting research, improving the quality of patient care and reducing care inequalities. The group has organised and hosted a number of events and prevention campaigns on various topics related to cancer. Besides Members of the European Parliament, scientists, representatives of the European Commission and the Council, researchers, experts, representatives of Member States and representatives of patients’ organisations participate in the meetings.

Cancer is not just a health issue; it is more and more becoming a social and political issue which requires attention and action at all levels Alojz Peterle

On the fight against cancer at EU level, President of MAC and Co-Chair of the Health Working Group within the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Alojz Peterle MEP, said: "Cancer is not just a health issue; it is more and more becoming a social and political issue which requires attention and action at all levels. It is necessary to strengthen our cooperation with national parliaments where cross-party MAC groups could provide added value in the fight against cancer. We must enhance our common efforts together to achieve more Europe with less cancer."

Raising awareness for cancer-related topics

"We were able to address many cancer-related topics, but I am particularly pleased that in recent years, more attention has been paid to prevention, which remains a challenge and a strategic objective in the future. Members may, through their example and promotion of prevention, the exchange of good practices, the pointing-out of differences and unequal treatment and opportunities for survival between Member States and within them, significantly contribute to higher awareness and greater engagement of all stakeholders. MAC members from different Member States and all parliamentary political groups with respect to cancer pay attention not only to legislation, but are also in close cooperation with civil society organisations. Our ambition is to appoint MAC ambassadors to all 28 Member States", added Peterle.

MAC was instrumental in encouraging other EU Institutions to address cancer as one of the priorities on their political agenda

MAC was instrumental in raising awareness and encouraging other EU Institutions to address cancer as one of the priorities on their political agenda. Thus, MAC has not only been attentive to the cancer-related legislative agenda in the European Parliament, it has also been supportive of the actions of the European Commission such as the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC) and CanCon as well as of the health priorities of the presiding countries in the Council.