Every year 3.2 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer,
mostly breast, colorectal or lung cancers. Although great
advances continue to be made in research and treatment, cancer
remains a key health concern. The EU has taken action on various
fronts to save life and improve cancer survivors' quality of
life. General health can be improved, and certain cancers
avoided, by adopting a healthier lifestyle (see the European
Code Against Cancer). Effective screening programmes are crucial
too, for early detection and treatment of the disease. There are
currently worrying inequalities between EU countries in levels
of cancer control and care, including screening and follow-up
for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. Several EU projects
are gathering comparable data on cancer occurrence and outcomes
to identify and promote good practice in prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and care across the EU. EU countries have a lot to
gain from working together. Cancer is not just a national but
also a European health chall