Coalition ECPC was founded in 2003. It speaks on behalf of all groups of patients with cancer, those most frequently affected and the less frequent malignancies. Coalition aims to improve the prevention area, cancer screening, early diagnosis and best treatment methods for cancer, with a reduction of disparities and inequalities within the European Union. ECPC Coalition tries to make legislators, politicians, health professionals, the media and the public recognize the cancer seriousness and the need for joint actions in order to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths and suffering.
Jolanta Kwaśniewska, is one of three ECPC Patrons, beside Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Health and Els Borst-Eilers, former Netherlands Health Minister.
The objectives of the ECPC coalition:
• To ensure compliance and strengthen the rights of patients with cancer.
• To strengthen the representation of patients and their impact on decision-making at the highest national and European level, in all areas that may affect their health.
• To allow patients to be real partners in the healthcare system.
• To facilitate patients to obtain reliable and early access to relevant and accurate methods of prevention, medical diagnosis, treatment and care, including psychosocial care.
• To encourage the population screening programs, according to European guidelines for quality.
• To promote the progress of cancer research, taking into account all relevant information about properly designed clinical examinations and, if possible, the right to participate in them.
• To demand better multidisciplinary training of health professionals.
ECPC Coalition maintains contact with EU institutions: Commission, Parliament, Council and the European Agency of Medicinal (EMEA). The coalition observes the political development at the EU level, defines the phenomenon, which may be important for patients with cancer, and informs about it its members. On the other hand, it represents the perspective of patients with cancer to the European units involved in health. The coalition is working with experts during the creation the “patient friendly” guidelines.
