Full Minutes of the Meetings

SESSION OF THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2003

Breast cancer

Karamanou (PSE). – Mr. President, I would also like to warmly congratulate Mrs. Jöns for her very important contribution to raising awareness among the institutions of the European Union on the critical issue of breast cancer, not only by drafting this excellent report but also by organizing a related exhibition in the European Parliament and a public debate, in which leading scientists from all over Europe participated, with the presence of the responsible Commissioner, Mr. Byrne.

At that public hearing, we sadly, with disappointment and surprise, found that very few resources are allocated for research on diseases that particularly affect women, such as osteoporosis, the consequences of menopause, and breast cancer in this case. We discovered that more resources are allocated for diseases that primarily affect men, and I say this for the male colleagues, rather than for diseases that affect women. In other words, even in the area of disease treatment and health issues, there are gender-based discriminations. I would like to ask the European Commission to look into this, because, as shown by the data mentioned by the Commissioner and other colleagues, one in eight women is affected by this terrible disease, which particularly affects women between the ages of 35 and 55.

We, as the Committee on Women’s Rights, request and demand more research on the causes, early-stage diagnosis, preventive measures, and treatment after the onset of the disease. Of course, we recognize the efforts made by the European Commission, and I would like to thank you, Madam Commissioner, for the positive messages you gave us today regarding the promotion of measures and programs with specific objectives, but mainly for the fact that there will be an evaluation of the results and that you will take into account the proposals outlined in Mrs. Jöns’ report in the recommendation you are planning for the Member States. Finally, I thank you for making use of the opportunities provided by new technologies, particularly the Internet. Thank you very much for these positive measures you announced.