Elekta AB
Elekta is proud to be the leading innovator of equipment and software used to improve, prolong and save the lives of people with cancer and brain disorders.
ID: 280043833471-28
Lobbying Activity
Response to Cancer Screening Recommendation
22 Feb 2022
Elekta is the global leader in precision radiation medicine and the only European company specialised in the production of radiotherapy and radiosurgery medical devices. Please find below our input.
1. Objective I: Increase screening rates for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer
We believe that it essential to ensure high participation rates in early screening programmes and the availability of screening programmes for different types of cancers. The earlier the tumour is detected, the better chances of curing the disease.
In this regard, access to reliable information about the usefulness of screening and early diagnosis is of paramount importance. Citizens would be more likely to take part in early screening programmes if they clearly understood the positive impact they can have on the development of cancer. Furthermore, access to information on available screening programmes in all the Member States should be granted to promote an efficient cross-border healthcare system.
It is also worth underlining the positive role that data sharing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in improving the quality of screening programs by selecting the risk groups through algorithms based on real data. The EU should establish clear rules to create a safe environment for accessing data by ensuring secure ownership and an appropriate protection of patients’ rights and privacy. Such data should be accessible for cancer detection and prediction, as well as research and product-development purposes. For example, technologies based artificial intelligence can optimise imaging and relieve workforce pressure, strengthening the efficiency of cancer services.
In addition, it is not only important to identify citizens who have cancer, but also to reduce the proportion of patients who are diagnosed at an advanced stage. The earlier the tumour is detected, the better is the opportunity to use less invasive treatment and improve the outcome.
Finally, patients do not always get access to appropriate treatment once diagnose. For example, while radiotherapy plays a crucial role in multidisciplinary care and it is recommended 87% of patients with breast cancer, 71% with cervical cancer and 19% with colorectal cancer, many countries are unable to meet the demand for radiotherapy. This is due to the limited availability of radiation oncologists and innovative equipment, as well as the outdated reimbursement systems, which lag behind clinical and technological evolution.
2. Objective II: Extension of screening recommendations to other cancers
We support the extension of the guidelines to other cancers. In particular, lung cancer which constitutes the biggest cancer killer in Europe, accounting for 20.8% of all cancer deaths, and is responsible for 15% of the total costs of cancer in Europe.
Despite the progress achieved in diagnosis and treatment, lung cancer survival remains low because a high proportion of patients are diagnosed at a late stage, when the probability of surviving five years is less than 10%. If it is detected early, 68-92% of patients may survive at least five years if they are provided with appropriate treatment. For instance, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) plays a fundamental role in the outcome of patients with lung cancer at stage 1 and 2.
In this regard, it is worth noting that the high mortality rate of lung cancer due to late diagnosis is further accentuated by inequalities in access to optimal care. For example, radiotherapy is recommended for 77% of lung cancer patients, especially when the cancer is diagnosed early. However, many countries are still unable to meet patients’ need for radiotherapy, potentially limiting their survival time and the chances of having a better quality of life.
Read full responseResponse to Evaluation of patient rights in cross-border healthcare
11 Feb 2021
Elekta welcomes the decision to evaluate patient rights in cross-border healthcare under Directive 2011/24, and it applauds the European Commission for bringing this issue back to its political agenda.
As a global leader and the only European company specialised in the production of radiation therapy technologies for cancer treatment, Elekta appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the Roadmap, and it offers its full support in the implementation of this initiative.
The Roadmap rightly notes that cross-border healthcare can offer a better option to patients in situations where the most appropriate treatment is in another EU country. In order to allow patients benefit from cross-border healthcare, Elekta would like to focus on the following actions:
(1) Reviewing reimbursement schemes to ensure patient access to high-quality healthcare; and
(2) Promoting quality-assured care through the European Reference Networks.
The attached document provides more detailed information on the abovementioned actions.
Read full responseResponse to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
3 Mar 2020
Elekta welcomes the Roadmap on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and it applauds the European Commission for taking a decision to put the fight against cancer on the top of its political agenda.
Elekta, as a global leader and the only European company specialised in the production of radiation therapy technologies for cancer treatment, appreciates the fact that the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan will deal with every step of the cancer disease, including treatment.
The Roadmap for the EU Caner Plan rightly notes that in many EU Member States patients have limited access to cancer treatment services, and that more patient-centred approaches need to be developed to ensure access to optimal cancer treatment for all patients. At the same time, likewise the European Commission, Elekta agrees that even though new, modern and specialised treatments exist, or are being developed, the patients’ access to these technologies is limited and unequal across the EU. Elekta also strongly supports the European Commission’s objectives to reduce cancer mortality and increase survival rates while improving the quality, availability and access to cancer treatment in Europe.
As regards the specific part of the Roadmap on treatment and care, Elekta would like to highlight that Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan shall be based on a multidisciplinary approach towards cancer treatment which includes radiotherapy.
Elekta wishes to underline that multidisciplinary cancer treatment consists of a set of therapies delivered either alone or in combination: immunotherapy, surgery, targeted therapies, hormone therapies and finally, radiotherapy. The Roadmap for the EU Cancer Plan highlights that one of the possible instruments to ensure access to the best treatment is to work in line with the planned pharmaceutical and chemical strategies. Elekta notes that while medicines are an important element of the multidisciplinary cancer treatment, they are not the only effective method. In that regard, radiotherapy is often forgotten when talking about optimal cancer treatment.
Radiotherapy alone is recommended as part of cancer treatment for more than 50% of cancer patients as core component of high-quality cancer care. More specifically, 87% of patients with breast cancer, 77% of patients with lung cancer, and 58% of patients with prostate cancer should be treated with radiotherapy.
Nevertheless, currently at least one in four patients needing radiotherapy does not receive it. At the same time, access to radiotherapy treatment varies considerably across the EU Member States. The main reasons for the restricted access to radiotherapy are shortages in terms of equipment and workforce, as well outdated reimbursement systems which lag behind clinical and technological evolution and lead to long waiting lists for patients. Elekta believes that these challenges should be addressed as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to ensure that patients have access to high-quality and efficient healthcare interventions.
Elekta offers its full support to the European Commission in further refining of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and it looks forward to contributing to a targeted consultation with the technology providers.
Read full response