LONDON, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Power of Patient Voice: Europe's largest patient conference to fight the killer disease has been successfully launched

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients from across Europe benefited greatly from the Colorectal Cancer Patient Conference that took place in Barcelona last weekend: With almost 200 attendees from 27 countries the first pan-European conference of its kind united CRC patients and experts from the whole continent to share the latest knowledge about prevention, diagnosis and therapy. Europe's fastest growing CRC patient organisation europacolon organised the conference to motivate delegates to take action in prioritising the awareness of the disease, extending Formal Population Screening Programmes and encouraging the improvement of standards as well as the equity of care through National Cancer Plans.

"We are proud that the conference has created such enthusiasm amongst attendees who are now eager to action changes in their countries to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer," states Jola Gore-Booth, CEO and founder of europacolon. Together with its partners, the World Health Organisation, LIVESTRONG and Global Colon Cancer, europacolon also aims to obtain a stronger commitment from governments across Europe to support changes in their healthcare systems where needed. "europacolon addresses authorities throughout Europe to take actions to expedite the equal access to the best CRC treatment and care of citizens. We call to all European nations to implement National Cancer Plans and Formal Population Screening Programmes," adds Gore-Booth. The annual CRC event was actively supported by cancer advocates from across Europe, amongst others Czech MEP Pavel Poc.

Colon cancer is still the second most common malignancy in Europe with yearly more than 400,000 newly diagnosed patients and over 200,000 deaths. "Yet colorectal cancer is preventable in many cases and highly treatable if diagnosed early," affirms Professor Eric Van Cutsem, Medical Director of europacolon. "It is essential that all Europeans are accurately and responsibly informed about colorectal cancer because good cancer care starts with sound cancer information," adds CRC survivor Suzanne Lindley from the U.S. And indeed, informed patients are invaluable partners for clinicians!

http://www.ipse.de/europacolon

http://www.europacolon.com

Contact:

Katrin Lewandowski
+49(030)288846-14

SOURCE europacolon