|
WRITTEN
QUESTION E-0329/04
by
Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) and Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission
(30 January 2004)
Subject:
Endometriosis
Is the
Commission aware of the fact that data from the world's largest research
registry on endometriosis shows that women with endometriosis and their
families have a heightened risk of breast cancer, melanoma, and ovarian
cancer? There is also a greater risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These
findings confirm other studies, including a study of over 20 000
endometriosis cases in the Swedish cancer registry, which also found an
increased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma in women with endometriosis.
In the
context of the EU's Women and Health policies and the resolution of the
European Parliament in 1999(1) on the state of women's health, what
policies, programmes and projects are envisaged by the Commission to pay
due attention to endometriosis, to coordinate research on possible causes
and cures, and to increase awareness amongst women of this disease?
Answer
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission
(written question: E-0329/04)
(22 March 2004)
The
Commission is aware of the links between endometriosis and an increased
risk of cancer.
Within
the current Sixth Framework Programme (6FP) the thematic priority:
“Genomics and Biotechnology for Health” is aimed at exploiting the
opportunities offered by genomic discoveries and translating them into
applications that enhance human health.
Cancer
research, by developing patient-oriented strategies, from prevention to
more effective and earlier diagnosis and better treatment strategies, is
one of the main priorities within this Programme.
To this
aim, the programme has chosen not to focus on specific cancer sites or
diseases, but to address, in a horizontal and multidisciplinary manner,
subjects considered of relevance in the fight against the different forms
of the disease.
A further
call for proposals in the area of cancer research will be issued in June
2004. Amongst the topics to be addressed is the prevention of cancer in
high risk populations, which could allow, amongst other things, to further
assess the links between increased risk of cancer and endometriosis.
Detailed information on the subjects and content of the call for proposals
will be available in the Cordis website(1) at the launching of the call.
In
keeping with the resolution of the Parliament in 1999 on the state of
women’s health, it should be noted that significant efforts have been made
in the 6FP to ensure gender issues in public health and research are taken
into account when defining the framework programmes and evaluating
projects for funding.
The
Community action programme for public health (2003-2008)(2) allows in
principle for projects in awareness raising. It does not address any
specific disease nor does it exclude any proposal from a specific disease
background. In 2003, no endometriosis related project proposals were
received. A call for proposals was launched at the end of February, with a
deadline for applications on 26 April 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
http://www.cordis.lu
(2)
Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23
September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of
public health (2003-2008), OJ L 271, 9.10.2002. |
