The launch of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan today contains within it a significant breakthrough in efforts to end HPV Cancers in the EU:
‘We seek to prevent the preventable…We aim to eliminate cancers caused by the human papillomaviruses and we are proposing support for Member States on vaccinations, with an am to vaccinate at least 90% of the target population of boys and girls by 2030.'
Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
What is the Beating Cancer Plan?
2.7 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer in 2020. A further 1.3 million lost their lives to it. Cancer affects everyone, yet without action, lives lost to cancer in the EU are set increase by more than 24% by 2035, making cancer the leading cause of death within the region.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is the EU’s roadmap to act against cancer, mobilising the collective power of EU members to deliver change to benefit its citizens. It entails four areas; prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and improving the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors. You can read the full report here.
The section pertinent to our work is detailed below:
3.7 Saving Lives through Cancer Prevention: Preventing cancers caused by infections
“with dedicated funds under the EU4Health programme and other funding instruments, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan will support Member States’ efforts to extend routine vaccination against human papillomaviruses of girls and boys – in order to eliminate cervical cancer and other cancers caused by human papillomaviruses.
The objective is to vaccinate at least 90% of the EU target population of girls and to significantly increase the vaccination of boys by 2030”.
The above is outlined as a ‘flagship initiative on prevention’.
Needless to say this announcement represents a massive victory for our campaign. Just 14 months ago, we launched our initiative in the European Parliament to eliminate HPV Cancers and diseases in Europe, and the publication of the Beating Cancer Plan and actions to address HPV is indicative that our advocacy and case for action set out in ‘Viral Protection: Achieving the Possible’ has momentum.
This is not ‘job done’ by any means. We will continue to advocate for policies that end preventable cancer, hold policymakers to account, and work alongside stakeholders to ensure that this Beating Cancer Plan is put into action.
Thank you for your continued belief in our mission to prevent cancers caused by HPV.
Could you support our work and accelerate our mission to create a HPV Cancer free future? You can make a donation here. Thank you.