Cancer Patients Europe. European Parliament Visit, Conference and Annual General Meeting June 2025
As a full member of Cancer Patients Europe (an organisation which represents the views of cancer patients and their families in Europe), CSF was invited to attend this event in Brussels. With around 40 others, I attended a very informative and useful three days, with all the costs being covered by CPE.
The visit to the European Parliament led to an enlightening two-hour discussion with MEPs, members of the ‘Health and Food Safety Committee’ (DG Santé). This two-way exchange enabled MEPs to talk of their current projects and listen to the views of members of CPE who outlined their challenges across Europe. The main thrust of their ‘health’ work centres on education to ensure patients (and doctors) know what choices are available and to ensure younger people, in particular, are better informed, the aim being to aid prevention. Needless to say, inequalities across Europe are also at the forefront. Interestingly, some of the smaller countries had better infrastructure than, for example, Finland, with huge distances in difficult terrain.
The conference was on the theme of ‘Equity in Action’ and had interesting speakers from varied backgrounds, including researchers, senior doctors and the project officer from the European Commission on ‘DG Santé’. We were divided into groups and were given a topic to discuss after each of the three sessions. The findings of the groups were then recorded to be collated and presented to the Commission. Major topics were ‘Prevention’, ‘Shared decision making during treatment’ and ‘Patient Involvement in end of life care’.
The most interesting item at the AGM was the Proposed Five Year Strategy. This includes the creation of a ‘Patient Academy’ to enable associations to learn and then share within their own association. CPE’s main aim, of course, is to bring associations together to have one voice across Europe.
Most importantly, I had the opportunity to talk to many people, including the CEO, the Chair and members of the Board of CPE who were very interested to learn more of CSF. CSF is unique as it supports Anglophones (of all nationalities) in a Francophone environment, this means clients and members have the added complication of being ‘immigrants’! A very worthwhile few days with new contacts providing opportunities for the future.
Penny Parkinson
Vice-president
British Embassy Garden Party Invitation for CSF
As president of Cancer Support France-National, I was invited to attend a garden party at the British Embassy in Paris on June 26th. To celebrate the King’s birthday, but also to say goodbye to Dame Menna Rawlings, who has been the ambassador for the last 4 years.
Strong relationships began in 2023 when the embassy hosted our first President’s conference. Relationships have continued to develop with Paris, but also with the consulate in Bordeaux.
Jean Winter, National Treasurer, accompanied me to what was a spectacular event in stunning grounds. It provided opportunities to meet people representing many organisations here, in France, but also from around the world.
Hundreds of people attended, on what was the beginning of the very hot period of weather we have just experienced in France. The organisation and emphasis were strongly on all that is 'Best of British', reflected in the wide choice of food and drink available, including miniature portions of freshly cooked fish and chips!
Entertainment was provided by contrasting artists but for me, the highlight was the Scots Pipes and Drums regiment. How they performed and even had a solo dancer in their heavy and ornate uniforms, in that heat, was incredible.
The event certainly demonstrated impressive organisational skills but showing truly the best of British. No camera can do justice to such an event but small selection is attached.
Carol Quinlan
Cancer Support France-National President
In Memory of Sue Smith
In memory of Sue Smith, President of Cancer Support France
It is with great sadness that we would like to inform you of the sudden death of our President and colleague Sue Smith.
She died suddenly whilst on holiday with her husband Jon in Sri Lanka on the 6th February. Our condolences to Jon and their family.
Sue was a great supporter of Cancer Support France (CSF). She trained as an Active Listener volunteer to support clients in her Ouest Aquitaine Association, before becoming their President. Our thoughts are with all her Association members and the clients she worked with.
Sue became the National President in April 2022, while managing to combine this with her role as President of CSF Ouest Aquitaine.
Sue strengthened the CSF National ties with the British Embassy, enabling a very successful President’s Conference to be held there in May 2023. She became very involved in the development of the National Facebook page and the revamped National website.
She undertook her responsibilities with energy and drive, helping to maintain and develop our service.
Cancer Support France National Bureau, 2025
Membership of Cancer Patients Europe
Cancer Patients Europe (CPE) is a European-wide organisation, bringing together Patient and Carer associations across Europe. Its mission is to serve as a united voice for the cancer community, advocating for their needs and rights at every stage of their journey, including the needs of caregivers. CPE has a voice at the European Union level and is a contributor to many of the EU-funded projects relating to patient-centric cancer care. As an example, a representative attended and contributed to the European Commission’s Conference on Innovative Palliative Care for Cancer Patients.
Cancer Support France is very pleased to have been accepted as a member with full voting rights of CPE. We are looking forward to participating in their varying ongoing projects and are aware, as are they, that we have a different perspective to many support associations. As we support anglophones (of all nationalities) in a francophone environment, we have the added complication of being ‘immigrants’.
Do have a look at their website for a comprehensive picture of what they do. You will also find recordings of the highlights of the Conference on Innovative Palliative Care for Cancer Patients referred to above.
https://cancerpatientseurope.org/
New Honorary Members elected at our AGM
At our face-to-face development meeting in November, it was proposed and agreed that we could offer honorary membership to two people who have been supporters of Cancer Support France over many years. The first is Bruce McMaster, you probably will not know this name but Bruce has been sitting in the background for a great number of years as a supporter to Frank Parkinson, Webmaster. Thank you, Bruce, for being there and please accept your Honorary Membership of CSF (National).
The second recipient of this rare membership is Charles Miskin. Some of you will have met Charles at the Active Listener Conference last March. He is the President of the Association Bon Coeur. This association’s sole purpose is to raise funds for other associations, and Cancer Support France is one very grateful recipient. Over many years now, we have received cheques from Charles’ association, never solicited and always a pleasure to receive. Thank you very much Charles for your support and welcome to the wider Cancer Support France family.
Touchlines - April 2024
Regular Cancer Support France newsletter - Touchlines April 2024.
A royal invitation for Cancer Support France members
Selected members of Cancer Support France are invited to attend the visit of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in Bordeaux on 22 September.
Featured in the Haute-Saintonge newspaper, serving Charente-Maritime and neighbouring areas.
Published 29 September 2023, edition no 196J
Finding current news about cancer with a bias towards France
La Ligue contre le cancer features regular updates on latest cancer news in France (nos actualités). Looking for information here can be very worthwhile if your grasp of the written French language is sufficiently up-to-speed. Because it is very focused on French issues and information relating to cancer, it covers areas where information might be difficult to obtain for many English-speakers living in France.
Recent features have included:
- pourquoi le depistage colorectal est essentiel (why rectal cancer testing is essential)
- rencontre avec Anne, diagnostiquée d’un cancer du rectum (meet Anne, diagnosed with a cancer of the rectum)
- cancer – les actus en bref (a monthly round-up of news items)
Text in French www.ligue-cancer.net/nos-actualites/
Our membership of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has as its mission to: unite and support the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority.
For us as a UICC Global Network Member, we gain particularly from being part of an organisation that can offer opportunities for uniting with similar organisations to ourselves, and also from the wealth of information that the UICC provides on its website.
For example, it posts regular podcasts in its series, Let’s Talk Cancer, on subjects as diverse as:
- understanding the latest global trends in cancer control
- love and loss – how to support those with terminal cancer
- the power of the patient voice to transform cancer care
You can find all the podcasts at: uicc.org/resources/podcasts
or dip into the whole range of what they offer at: uicc.org