One in five West Flemish people gets skin cancer: CD&V wants to step up the fight

CD&V MP Nathalie Muylle calls for decisive action and the development of a national action plan to tackle this disease and raise awareness.

About 40% of all cancers are skin cancers. About 46,000 new skin cancer diagnoses are made every year and forecasts predict a further increase of no less than 70% in the coming years.

CD&V MP Nathalie Muylle calls on the government in a resolution to take urgent measures. In it, she argues for a national action plan to ensure quality and affordable care for patients.

(continue reading below the photo)

“cheaper sunscreen”

Preventive measures such as avoiding the sun, appropriate clothing and sunscreen are the message. For example, Nathalie Muylle proposes to make sunscreen with factor 50 cheaper. This can be done in several ways: reducing VAT from 21% to 6% or by refunding prescription sunscreen for high-risk patients.

Nathalie Muylle: “Most skin cancers can be prevented, but more awareness is needed. With these specific measures, we can halt the rising incidence of skin cancer and protect the health of the population.”

Recognition as an occupational disease

Finally, Muylle also wants to recognize skin cancer as an occupational disease, just like in Germany, for example. Exposure to UV rays for people who often work outdoors is 5 times higher than average. Just think of people who work in the construction sector and in agriculture and horticulture. They also have the highest risk of dying from the disease. By recognizing skin cancer as an occupational disease, we can better protect more than 50,000 West Flemish people against the consequences of prolonged exposure to the sun.

Nathalie Muylle: “Minister Vandenbroucke says he is working on recognition as an occupational disease. That in itself is good, but there is still no Royal Decree and no trace of funding yet. It’s five to twelve.”