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FÖRSLAG TILL BETÄNKANDE (2025/2139(INI))

Om genomförandet av Europas plan mot cancer

SANT-PR-786738

Utskottet för folkhälsa · Rapporteur: Vlad VasileVoiculescu

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This draft report assesses how Europe's Beating Cancer Plan has been implemented and proposes changes for its next phase. It finds strong research funding but weak translation into clinical practice, delayed prevention laws and wide gaps between member states. The rapporteur proposes four shifts: results-based funding tranches, challenge prizes tied to EU procurement, AI regulatory sandboxes for cancer screening, and cohesion-policy conditionality requiring updated national cancer control plans. The draft resolution welcomes the Plan and its EUR 4 billion budget, but regrets that measurement tracks process completion rather than health outcomes, and calls for a monitoring framework with outcome indicators. It asks the Commission to act on tobacco, alcohol labelling and nutrition, to step up screening towards the 90 % target, to improve access to cancer medicines and cross-border care, and to support survivors, carers and disadvantaged groups. It calls for at least EUR 2 billion for the Plan in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, a European Investment Bank facility for cancer centres, and a structured annual dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Public Health.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament welcome the Plan's achievements but call for a shift from input-based grants to outcome-linked delivery, stronger monitoring, and action on prevention, screening, access to medicines and inequalities. He proposes four shifts: results-based funding tranches, challenge prizes tied to EU procurement, AI regulatory sandboxes for cancer screening, and cohesion-policy conditionality.

Key points

  1. The report finds that in 2022 there were 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths in Europe, with cases projected to rise 18.3 % and deaths 26.3 % by 2040.
  2. It welcomes the Plan as a groundbreaking framework and notes that more than 90 % of its actions are concluded or ongoing, but regrets that measurement is based on process completion rather than health outcomes.
  3. It acknowledges the EUR 4 billion allocated to the Plan and expresses serious concern about the EUR 1 billion cut to EU4Health funding, calling for adequate funding in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework.
  4. It regrets that the implementation roadmap is a tracking tool rather than an accountability mechanism and calls on the Commission to establish a monitoring framework linked to outcome indicators and regular accountability reports.
  5. It reaffirms the goal of a 'Tobacco-Free Generation' by 2040 and urges the Commission to present without delay a revision of EU tobacco legislation, plus legislative proposals on alcohol ingredient lists and health warnings.
  6. It calls on the Commission to accelerate mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling, reduce consumption of high-fat and ultra-processed food, and increase hepatitis B vaccination and treatment of hepatitis C and Helicobacter pylori infections.
  7. It welcomes EUCanScreen and lung, prostate and gastric cancer screening projects, and calls for urgent efforts to reach the 90 % screening target, noting breast cancer screening rates range from below 10 % to above 90 %.
  8. It notes breast cancer survival varies by as much as 20 % between member states and colon cancer survival ranges from 49 % to 68 %, and calls for sustained investment in European Reference Networks for rare cancers.
  9. It calls on the Commission to develop EU-level minimum quality standards for nutritional support in cancer care and to propose measures supporting survivors' return to work and addressing gaps in 'right to be forgotten' legislation.
  10. It calls for targeted interventions so disadvantaged and marginalised groups have equitable access to cancer care, and for the Commission to address the gender dimension of cancer inequalities.
  11. It calls for improved cross-border access to cancer care and experimental therapies, and invites the Commission to revise the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive to support families and simplify prior authorisation.
  12. It calls for at least EUR 2 billion for the Plan in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, a European Investment Bank facility for cancer centres, and a structured annual dialogue reporting to Parliament's Committee on Public Health.

Who is affected

  • Member states, which would need updated National Cancer Control Plans to access health-related ERDF investments and would report indicators disaggregated by country.
  • Cancer patients and survivors, who would benefit from better cross-border care, return-to-work measures and 'right to be forgotten' rules.
  • Disadvantaged and marginalised groups, for whom targeted outreach aims to ensure equitable access to cancer care.
  • The Commission, which is asked to report annually, propose legislation and ensure funding.
  • The pharmaceutical and health technology sector, affected by proposals on access to cancer medicines and AI screening deployment.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 4 billion allocated to the Plan, with 49.4 % to prevention, 24.9 % to screening, 13.9 % to treatment, 6.8 % to quality of life and 4.6 % to inequalities.
  • EUR 1 billion cut to EU4Health funding.
  • 898 cancer-focused projects, including 61 Cancer Mission projects, receiving EUR 2.086 billion.
  • 90 % screening target for cancer screening.
  • Breast cancer screening rates range from below 10 % to above 90 % across the EU.
  • Breast cancer survival rates vary by as much as 20 % between member states; colon cancer survival ranges from 49 % to 68 %.
  • At least EUR 2 billion earmarked for the Plan in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework.
  • Goal of a 'Tobacco-Free Generation' by 2040.

Legal basis: Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.