Cancer research resources are ‘spread too thin’

Date: 26/09/02

By Martin Banks

PHILIPPE Busquin, the research commissioner, has called on the EU to tackle the 'structural weaknesses' which have left it lagging behind America in the search for possible cures or advances in treatment for cancer.

Opening a conference of cancer experts at the European Parliament, the Belgian said the Union would allocate €400 million this year to research in the area.

But he added: 'This budget is, of course, extremely modest in relation to the amounts allocated every year by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Health in the US.

'The €400 million will never be able to cover all the needs for research.'

While praising the 'excellence' of cancer research in the EU, Busquin said it suffered from structural weaknesses such as 'spreading resources too thin, compartmentalisation of the national systems, diverging research policies and a hard and fast divide between pure research and clinical research'.

He added: 'Expansion and fuller harnessing of the European dimension can help to combat these weaknesses by correcting the many effects of Europe's many national divisions.'

The commissioner spoke of his hopes that a European 'cancer research area' could be created to help combat the disease.

The one-day conference was also attended by Parliament President Pat Cox.

• There will be a public hearing on breast cancer at the Parliament on 1 October (room 1A-2, 3-6pm). The aim is to raise awareness of the need to ensure that women have equal access to standard screening, diagnostic and treatment facilities and to call for stronger cooperation in the fight against the disease.

Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin has called on the EU to tackle the 'structural weaknesses' which have left it lagging behind America in the search for possible cures or advances in treatment for cancer.