A Bill of Rights for patients with cancer in Europe.

In the next 20 years, substantial increases are predicted for cancer incidence, mortality, and morbidity— particularly in countries such as China, India, and Nigeria—precipitating a potential global epidemic of cancer. The trajectory of cancer in Europe is also increasing substantially, fuelled in part by changes in population structure that will lead to an unparalleled increase in the over-65 age group in the coming decades. Despite the undoubted progress achieved in cancer care and research during the past 30 years, a substantial proportion of patients in many parts of the world will not benefi t from these advances. However, this widening gap in cancer care is not limited to Africa and Asia; substantial diff erences in cancer incidences and mortalities are also seen within Europe, particularly evident in the recently published EUROCARE-5 study, suggesting inequalities in access to optimum cancer care between diff erent national health-care systems. We hope that the launch of the European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights (which arose from meetings of the European Cancer Concord [ECC]; panel) on World Cancer Day (Feb 4, 2014) will serve as a catalyst for change—a charter to enable European citizens to receive an optimum standard of care across the cancer continuum. Three key principles underpin the Bill of Rights: the right of every European citizen to receive accurate information and be involved in their own care; the right of every European citizen to access specialised cancer care underpinned by research and innovation; and the right of every European citizen to cost-eff ective health systems that ensure optimum cancer outcomes. These principles are enshrined in the three articles of the Bill (appendix), which provide the framework to achieve an optimum standard of care for European citizens. Equality of purpose and shared leadership by health-care professionals and patients and their advocates provide a unique and powerful coalition to help to deliver eff ective change for Europe’s citizens. An overarching philosophy of ECC and the Bill of Rights is that any charter for change must be delivered with fi nancial realism, in view of the economic situation within Europe. The 2008 Tallinn Charter, in which health ministers of the European Union pledged to invest in improvement of European health-care systems, is a distant memory. However, the justifi cation for this unprecedented commitment should not be forgotten; investment not only brings about better health, but is also a driver of economic growth through improved workforce participation, increased innovation, and improved productivity in a system that also reduces the pressure on future health and social welfare systems. ECC and the Bill of Rights also espouse this “health is wealth” philosophy, emphasising how appropriate resourcing of innovative approaches for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation not only reduces the cancer burden, but can also contribute to the reinvigoration of European economies and societies. Changing of cancer policies needs political will; policy makers should be presented with a strong evidence base for change and be reminded of the principles of the Tallinn Charter, which remain relevant despite the present economic downturn. Engagement and promotion is an essential part of the ECC’s strategy, both at a European level and through national dialogue. These eff orts include interaction with the European Cancer Organisation through its Patient Advocacy Committee, and with the European Cancer Patient Coalition and the European Cancer Leagues, two of the largest panEuropean patient advocacy organisations. Engagement with national cancer societies and national departments of health (or their equivalents) is helping to embed the initiative at a Member State level. By launching the Bill of Rights at the European Parliament on World Cancer