On 8 July, EASL, together with the European Liver Patients Association (ELPA), met in the European Parliament in Strasbourg with MEP Alojz Peterle (EPP, SL) and Dr Lawrence von Karsa from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) who is also involved in the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss EASL-ELPA’s contribution to the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer: explore how the revision of the European Cancer Code and of the Council Recommendation on cancer screening can contribute to the prevention of primary liver cancer and the promotion of screening/surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Mr Peterle agreed that screening for viral hepatitis is important and should be put on the EU agenda. Dr von Karsa is expected to get back to EASL and ELPA to confirm the possibility of adding primary liver cancer to the list of cancers in the European Cancer Code.