EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/362

(2004/C 84 E/0420)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0329/04

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) and Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 February 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

(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 (2) 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) (3) 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) OJ C 175, 21.6.1999, p. 68.

(2) http://www.cordis.lu

(3) 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.