Politics. MP Aurélien Rousseau, former Minister of Health, announces he is suffering from cancer.

Select Language

English

Down Icon

Select Country

France

Down Icon

Politics. MP Aurélien Rousseau, former Minister of Health, announces he is suffering from cancer.

Politics. MP Aurélien Rousseau, former Minister of Health, announces he is suffering from cancer.

During questions to the government, Aurélien Rousseau, Socialist Party MP and former Minister of Health, announced that he was suffering from cancer, while asking the government to commit to prevention and research resources.

Aurélien Rousseau, at the National Assembly, in November 2024. Photo Sipa/Isa Harsin
Aurélien Rousseau, at the National Assembly, in November 2024. Photo Sipa/Isa Harsin

Before the National Assembly this Tuesday, Aurélien Rousseau , former Minister of Health who became a member of parliament, revealed that he had been affected by cancer.

The period is "paradoxical," Aurélien Rousseau judged during questions to the government: "Every day new treatments are presented in the world with very encouraging prospects and, at the same time, very many of us are living or have lived with cancer."

“These intimate subjects are also political subjects”

"By sometimes saying it publicly. As you did, Madam President [ Yaël Braun-Pivet , Editor's note] with great force, as I can say today, not only to excuse long weeks on these benches but also to tell the French people that these intimate subjects are also political subjects," added the former minister, his voice tinged with emotion. The 48-year-old Place publique representative highlighted the increase in cases "particularly among the youngest."

This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other trackers.

By clicking on "I accept" , cookies and other trackers will be placed and you will be able to view the contents ( more information ).

By clicking on "I accept all cookies" , you authorize the deposit of cookies and other tracers for the storage of your data on our sites and applications for the purposes of personalization and advertising targeting.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by consulting our data protection policy . Manage my choices

"Some, like the remarkable Professor Barlesi, who heads the Gustave Roussy Institute, tell us that we must prepare for a tsunami. With known factors—alcohol, tobacco, obesity, diet—but also questions—the role of environmental pollution, ultra-processed foods, endocrine disruptors, hormonal contraceptives," the former minister added.

A demand for commitment to “no budget cuts”

He asked the government to "commit to ensuring that cancer research does not suffer any budget cuts in the coming months." "Can you confirm the government's commitment to an approach I had highlighted, namely prevention [...] a decisive lever for combating cancer, recurrences, and measuring social inequalities," Aurélien Rousseau further asked.

Finally, he expressed the hope that the Ministry of Health would "be transparent about what we know and what we don't know" and allow "the registry project to be completed" in order to move forward "in light of science." His intervention was met with a round of applause.

Health Minister Yannick Neuder , who praised the "courage" of Aurélien Rousseau and the "four million French people living with cancer," stated that all political groups were in favor of including the cancer registry on the agenda "to have more data on determinism." "Whether through our new lifestyles, environmental factors, air and water quality, pesticides, Pfas, or even ultra-processed food, this is a serious avenue," he continued. Yannick Neuder assured that there was "no intention to limit cancer research" in terms of budget and defended prevention.

Le Bien Public

Le Bien Public

Similar News

All News
Animated ArrowAnimated ArrowAnimated Arrow