In the European Union, more than 330,000 women are newly diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 90,000 die from their disease. While survival rates have improved, particularly due to new therapies and improved early detection, the incidence rate of breast cancer continues to rise and an increasing number of young women are affected. There are clear insufficiencies in the detection, treatment and aftercare of breast cancer, as well as significant differences in quality of services between the European Union Member States. For instance, as stated in the October 2006 European Parliament Resolution on Breast Cancer in the Enlarged European Union, according to WHO, breast cancer mortality rates vary among the Member States (EU-25) by over 50%, and the mastectomy rate even for early-stage breast cancer differs by up to 60% among the Member States. Such disparities between Member States must be rectified.

The European Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer (EPGBC) was formed in September 2001 to raise awareness of breast cancer issues in the European Parliament and to ensure that breast cancer forms part of the European health-care agenda. It is a non-partisan, all-party group and membership is open to all MEPs interested in breast cancer issues. We encourage MEPs to join the EPGBC to help further progress toward equality in breast cancer services and help reduce disparities between member states.

The first steps toward achieving high-quality breast cancer detection, treatment and aftercare adhering to European guidelines have been taken through the European Parliament Resolution on Breast Cancer of June 2003 and the October 2006 European Parliament Resolution on Breast Cancer in the Enlarged European Union. The European Parliament demands the implementation of a joint European strategy against breast cancer based on benchmarking and best practice. We encourage EPGBC members, individuals and advocacy groups to pursue measures to implement the Resolution at a national level.

This website is designed to provide the tools necessary to advocate for equal breast cancer care across Europe, by enabling access to key documents, background information and news updates. It serves as a common outlet to share our efforts and successes in ensuring that every woman in Europe, regardless of her place of residence, social status and education, receives high-quality early detection, treatment and aftercare for her breast cancer.

Karin Jöns
Chair of the European Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer
MEP (Germany)