The early detection of prostate cancer

Question for written answer  E-002063/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (PPE)

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the EU. However, more than 14 % of prostate‑cancer‑related deaths have been avoided in recent years, not only due to technological advances in surgery and radiotherapy, but also because of the sporadic use of prostate‑specific antigen (PSA) tests as screening tools, leading to early detection.

In the last few years, the use of PSA screening has been limited. This has had unfortunate consequences. In the last decade in the UK, prostate cancer deaths increased by 17 %, while according to medical studies, in Germany and worldwide, prostate cancer has become the second leading cause of death in men.

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan includes a review of the Council Recommendation on cancer screening to evaluate the potential inclusion of prostate cancer.

In the light of this:

• 1.Will the Commission support the inclusion of prostate cancer in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan?
• 2.If prostate cancer is included in the revised list of cancers, could the Commission indicate what kind of support will be made available under the EU4Health programme and other financial instruments to assist Member States and other players in improving early detection of prostate cancer?