At an online conference, the Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, launched the second National Cancer Plan 2020-2024 (NCP2 2020 - 2024) on Friday. This announcement comes as a result of the alarming numbers of cancer deaths.
The different phases and actions inherent to the NCP were presented at the conference, but most importantly the theme was unveiled: patient support in the quality of care. This new plan seeks to adapt to digitalisation by improving the flow of information and data between specialists and institutions. Most importantly, the Ministry hopes the plan will put in place action levers to further prevent and reduce the disease.
Cancer remains the most common mortality cause for men in the Grand Duchy, and the second for women.
The most common cancers in men are prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer; for women, the most common diseases are breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.
A national cancer plan already existed from 2014 to 2018, from which many technologies were drawn. Thanks to its projects, the fight against cancer has had major successes, according to the Ministry. New organisational infrastructures such as the National Centre for Human Genetics within the National Health Laboratory (LNS), the National Cancer Institute, as well as the implementation of a national programme for the early detection of colorectal cancer, are examples.
The many measures and actions in the Cancer Plan are spread over eight axes. They range from a new competence network to better coordination with foreign countries. As far as prevention is concerned, overweight people are to be better accompanied in order to reduce the risk of cancer. In addition, the fight against excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use is to be continued, as are the campaigns for a healthier diet.
Patients should also have access to better diagnosis, as new diagnosis methods are to be introduced. The plan further calls for improved support of younger and older cancer patients; for example, in the development of the oncogeriatry sector, where the quality of nursing is to be improved.
The Ministry announced, that the plan will be published soon on their website www.sante.lu. You can also find further information in their brochures.
