The second week of October each year is traditionally dedicated to the European Week against cancer. The European Commission meanwhile announced, on 9 October, that it had selected a shortlist of new projects that deserve to be funded, following a first invitation to present proposals for research on cancer, for which provision is made by the Sixth framework programme (2002-2006). This first group of 19 promising projects, which will receive funding for approximately 100 million euros, will conduct research on the link between genome and cancer, develop techniques of imaging, radiotherapy and clinical experimentation on breast cancer and leukaemia, and help create bio banks and databases on cancer. Particular commitment will be dedicated to rapidly translating the progress of research on cancer into practical results in terms of early diagnosis and patient therapy. The projects, which will mainly benefit from new funding programmes such as integrated projects and networks of excellence, have accepted the challenge to create a European area of research and were chosen to reinforce European excellence and promote research in the fight against cancer.
