Speech by Commissioner Várhelyi for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' conference 'Cancer Research, Healthcare and Prevention'

European Commission -Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Várhelyi for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences' conference 'Cancer Research, Healthcare and Prevention' Brussels, 22 May 2025 Ladies and gentlemen, It is my honour to address this important conference taking place in this very special venue. The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment for the Catholics in Europe and around the world. I look forward to continue closely working together with the Catholic Church. The Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people together to address the major issues of our time, including our health. Research is vital to tackling cancer. It is equally vital to make sure that research does not stay in the lab, but reaches patients and their doctors. Cancer continues to present an enormous challenge. Every year, we see 2.7 million new cases just in the European Union. Even though cancer care has improved, there are still big differences between countries in how cancer affects people and how it is treated. In the EU, our response is guided by Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. One of its key aims is that people should be able to access equally high standards of cancer care, no matter where they live in the EU. Since the launch of the Plan in 2021, 90 percent of its initiatives are either ongoing or concluded. The Plan covers the whole pathway of the disease: from prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, to the quality of...