Each year, the week between May 25 and 31 serves as European Week Against Cancer. Unfortunately, most of us have had dealings with this illness, either personally or by being close to a person who has gone through this experience.
Over three million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer every year and 1.3 million people sadly pass away, which shows that, although a lot has been achieved in health policy at an EU level, it is still far from enough. In the European Parliament, I am part of the MEPs Against Cancer Interest Group, a number of MEPs who are committed to working together to improve cancer control and prevention in Europe.
Loucas Fourlas: An unbreakable promise
Loucas Fourlas, Chair of the MEPs Against Cancer Interest Group, tells Jon Benton and Ana Gallego what drives him in his fight against cancer, his campaign to help those affected and of his own personal tragedy.
Loucas Fourlas (CY, EPP) | Source: European Parliament Audiovisual
01 Feb 2021
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan was officially launched. And we will finally see the devil in the detail as the Plan’s Communication is expected to be published on Wednesday (3 February). On that day one year ago, the hemicycle was packed with deputies, uniting behind an issue that affects us all in one way or another. Cancer is a deeply personal issue and a source of great pain for many; however, Loucas Fourlas is determined to transform his own personal anguish into action that saves lives. “There is no choice for me; I would rather transform my pain into power,” he explains, adding, “My commitme