Interview with MEP Véronique Trillet-Lenoir on her priorities for the Beca Report

Roma, 27 apr. (askanews) – Askanews sits down with Rapporteur for the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) Madame Véronique Trillet-Lenoir for its inaugural interview series on Europe’s Beating Plan.
Madame Trillet-Lenoir calls for the EU to prioritise research and innovation as it has a knock-on effect to all other elements of fighting cancer. Working together and investing in systems which support cancer diagnosis and treatment such as big data and artificial intelligence as well as looking at developing the causes of cancer and integrating human science programmes.

The BECA plan, which is set to be adopted before the end of the year, will look at the lifecycle and journey of the disease as well as cancer patients. Madame Trillet-Lenoir states that she would like to ensure that all cancer patients in Europe are guaranteed a number of rights. Alongside the treatment, Madame Trillet-Lenoir references the need to place a special focus on prevention and to work on education, training, environment and social exposures as well as address the disparities across the Union.

The main causes of cancer from social exposure, to lifestyle behaviour and environment are all factors which contribute to preventable cancers. Madame Trillet-Lenoir discusses the need to address all these factors in her report and look at how other tools such as vaping and further investment can support legislative tools to combat these lifestyle choices.
Reflecting on the current pandemic, Madame Trillet-Lenoir points out that the situation highlighted issues with access to treatment and diagnostic facilities but also ventures the possibility of exploring incentives to encourage a change and return to Europe for the production of active substances.

Please find the full text of the interview in English, French.