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Local Euro MP says rise in EU breast cancer rates must be tackled
October 25, 2006 2:24 PM
European countries are still not doing enough to halt the continued rise in rates of breast cancer amongst both women and men. At the same time, the victims of breast cancer often suffer discrimination in the work place as a result of their illness. Local Euro MP Diana Wallis says the victims of breast cancer should be given legal rights under EU disability legislation.
Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, Diana Wallis, voted to support a cross party resolution outlining priorities for breast cancer in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.
Speaking in Strasbourg, Diana Wallis MEP said:
"The life time risk of developing breast cancer for women in the European Union is 1 in 10 and is increasing. I want to see the Member States and the European Commission must do more to halt the continued rise of this devastating disease.
"Part of this could be a better exchange of information between countries, especially as afar as best practice is concerned.
"Perhaps most controversially I would like to see that being diagnosed with cancer of any type will be classified as a disability, so that every citizen can benefit from EU legislation outlawing discrimination in the workplace on the basis of disability."
(Photo shows Diana Wallis MEP highlighting the issue of breast cancer in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today)
Notes
The joint motion for resolution put to the European Parliament also calls on the European Commission to provide more detailed data on breast cancer incidence, early detection and treatment and to look at how information and best practice can be shared across the enlarged EU. It was agreed overwhelmingly in the European Parliament today, Wednesday.
The Lisbon strategy aims for a women's employment quota of 60% by 2010.
275 000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in women in the European Union according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer
35% of new breast cancer cases are currently diagnosed in women younger than 55 years. 12% are even diagnosed in women under age 45.
Studies show that around one fifth of former cancer patients do not return to work.
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