Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

Question for written answer  E-000980/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Bartosz Arłukowicz (PPE)

On 3 February 2021 the Commission presented its Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This very important document for the first time highlights the role of the European Union in helping the efforts of the Member States’ healthcare systems to treat cancer. The plan envisages a whole range of measures ranging from supporting prevention, through the funding of screening, to the exchange of data on basic survival rates, the effectiveness of treatments and also inequalities between the Member States.

These praiseworthy actions require an adequate level of funding. The Commission stated that EUR 4 billion would be allocated under the fund to implement its objectives. Half of this amount will come from Horizon Europe. It seems clear that European research centres and scientists working on the use of the latest cancer diagnosis and treatment technologies will need a higher level of funding. In spite of my support for the Commission’s plan, I would like to ask the following:

• 1.Will funding for the development of new technologies for diagnosing, preventing and treating cancer be maintained at the level of EUR 2 billion under the Horizon Europe programme?
• 2.Will it be possible to fund cancer research activities beyond the amount foreseen in the Beating Cancer Plan?