MEPs demand strengthening health policy to fight cancer in the face of increasing incidence. In the resolution adopted on February 12, 2026, they emphasize the need to create a dedicated program in the new EU budget that will ensure permanent financing and implementation of the European Plan to Fight Cancer. They also draw attention to the need to improve and equalize access to treatment for cancer patients in all European countries.
– At the moment, the European Union's activities are preventive, informational, campaigning, raising awareness of the threat associated with cancer, showing pan-European data that are unsatisfactory when it comes to the increase in the number of people diagnosed and dying from cancer – Waldemar Buda, a member of the European Parliament from Law and Justice, tells the Newseria agency.
According to the report of the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) published in January this year, Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the European Union, after cardiovascular diseases. In 2024, cancer was diagnosed in approximately 2.7 million people and 1.27 million died because of it. Forecasts indicate that by 2040, the number of new diagnoses may increase by 19% and the number of deaths by up to 27%.
– An important thing is the resolution in which the European Parliament calls on the European Commission to create financing that will support member countries in the fight against cancer. It would be a huge step if the new financial perspective for 2028-2034 included funds for strategy and support for countries in a systemic approach to fighting cancer – emphasizes Waldemar Buda. – I really hope that the European Commission, apart from absurd expenses on promoting the Green Deal or global warming, will deal with the real problem.
MEPs want to create a special health program in the new long-term budget of the European Union. In their opinion, the EC, together with the Member States, should treat health and oncology care as a goal of social investments. These could be implemented through National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). The speech includes: about vaccination programs, screening tests, development of medical staff, as well as efficient data systems. Stable financing would be used to implement the European Plan to Fight Cancer.
– Five years ago, something unprecedented happened. We have adopted the first such holistic program and health strategy – the European Plan to Fight Cancer. The authorship of this idea can, in a sense, be attributed to the Polish delegation, because this project was included in the Polish formation's electoral programs. This ultimately led to the creation of the Health Committee in Parliament – emphasizes Adam Jarubas, Member of the European Parliament from the Polish People's Party, chairman of the parliamentary Public Health Committee (SANT).
The European Beating Cancer Plan is an initiative of the European Commission presented in February 2021. It focuses on four areas, i.e. sustainable prevention, improving early detection of cancer, diagnosis and treatment, as well as improving the quality of life of patients and recovered people.
– Health policy remains the exclusive competence of the Member States, but health strategies are an area where coordination, joining forces and using funds come into play, because in the previous term of office in the European Parliament we adopted the first European fund dedicated to health, EU4Health, in the amount of EUR 5 billion – explains Adam Jarubas. – We hope for more funds of this type in the next budget. It will be quite difficult to obtain them, because the structure of the budget with a large Competitiveness Fund means that many new goals, such as security or defense, will compete for the same money.
In the new EU budget for 2028-2034, the European Commission proposes to mobilize the Competitiveness Fund in the amount of over EUR 400 billion. The funds are intended to support, among others: health sector. The EU Horizon Europe program worth EUR 175 billion is to be closely linked to the fund, and the funding is to be allocated to world-class innovations.
– We should definitely invest more in modern research and therapies, because the world is lagging behind us in terms of economic competitiveness. This is also seen in clinical trials. The United States and China invest a lot, there is easier access to capital, and the risk is higher. The European Union should therefore, seeing these growing gaps, invest in clinical, preclinical and basic research. This needs to be improved, emphasizes the MEP from PSL.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), operating within the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 40 percent all cancer cases can be prevented with effective prevention. The biggest risk factors include, among others: smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, hormonal factors, environmental and occupational exposure or ultraviolet radiation.
– Prevention also requires greater investment. This pays off in the best way – emphasizes Adam Jarubas.
– Some unification at the level of prevention is, in my opinion, a good direction. For example, introducing rules that require mass preventive examinations at a certain point in certain risk groups or age groups. Detecting early cancer is the key to saving people, says Waldemar Buda.
In the resolution, MEPs also called for ensuring fair, timely and affordable access to oncology drugs, as well as innovative therapies throughout the European Union. They believe that the European Commission, together with Member States, should support voluntary joint procurement, promote price transparency and facilitate faster introduction of life-saving cancer treatments to the market.
– This strategy is holistic because it includes prevention, early detection, modern diagnostics and combating the huge distances in access to the most modern services between Eastern and Western Europe. We have to fight these differences. The chances of recovery may depend on the DNA code, but they should not depend on the postal code – emphasizes the PSL MEP.
According to the latest Eurostat data, healthcare expenditure in the European Union in 2023 accounted for 10%. its GDP. Germany spent the most on health (11.7%), France (11.5%), Austria and Sweden (11.2% each). In four countries the results were below 7%. These are Ireland (6.6%), Hungary (6.4%), Romania and Luxembourg (5.7% each).
– Small countries have problems with pharmaceutical companies. It is difficult for them to negotiate very expensive medical procedures, so they are unavailable or much more expensive than in other countries, says Waldemar Buda.
The European Parliament also calls for easier cross-border access to specialized cancer care and clinical trials. He paid particular attention to rare and complex cancers.
– A good example of cooperation is the functioning of the so-called European Reference Networks for the most serious diseases, including oncological and rare diseases. 24 cooperation networks have been established between the best academic centers and clinics, where scientists exchange information and can improve the most innovative treatment methods. The added value of cooperation at the European level is visible, says Adam Jarubas
According to data from October 2025, 24 European Reference Networks (ERN) unite 1,606 highly specialized clinics located in 375 hospitals in 27 EU countries and Norway.
– There are many areas and we know where there are topics in which we need to invest. Much depends on the readiness and resources of Member States. However, we have countries in the European Union with different wealth, resources and economic strength, so of course solidarity and the contemporary dimension of cohesion policy comes down to the stronger helping the poorer, so that the chances of curing a patient in Bulgaria and the Netherlands are similar – emphasizes Adam Jarubas.
