2. 8. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 192/31 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 July 199 an advisory committee for cancer prevention (Text with EEA relevance) (96/469/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas the Community shall contribute towards ensu- ring a high level of human health protection by encour- aging cooperation between the Member States and, if necessary, lending support to their action; Whereas Community action shall be directed towards the prevention of diseases, including cancer, by promoting research into their causes and their transmission as well as health information and education; Whereas meetings of high-level cancer experts have been held since 1986, in the framework of the ‘Europe Agree- ment Cancer Programme; whereas these cancer experts have constituted a group advising the Commission on the scientific aspects of cancer; Whereas the Council Resolution of 7 July 1986 (') takes note of the conclusions of the Committee of Cancer Experts regarding the preparation of the first cancer action plan (3); Whereas, pursuant to Decision 90/238/Buratom, ECSC, EEC of the Council and the Representativees of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 17 May 1990, adopting a 1990-1994 action plan in the context of the ‘Burope Against Cancer Programme (°), the Commission shall involve cancer prevention experts closely in implementing the action plan; Whereas the Decision No 646/96/EC (*) of the European Parliament and Council, adopting a third cancer action plan 1996-2000 is directed towards the prevention of cancer, in accordance with the requirements of Articles 3 (0) and 129 of the Treaty, Whereas the recitals to the Decision state that, in order to have available to it all the necessary scientific information, the Commission cooperates with scientific experts; () OJ No C 184, 23. 7. 1986, p. 19. (3 Council Decision 88/351/EEC, OJ No L 160, 28. 6. 1988, p. 52. () OJ No L 137, 30. 5. 1990, p. 31. ( 9 OJ No L 95, 16. 4. 1996, p. 9. Whereas it is important to strengthen the scientific basis on which Commission decisions are made; Whereas it is necessary for reasons of clarity and legal certainty that the existence of this group be formalised; Whereas its membership should be established to take account of developments in the direction and scope of the ‘Burope Against Cancer’ programme in the context of the third cancer action plan; Whereas scientific advice from high-level European experts in cancer prevention should be constantly made available in the form of a committee of a consultative nature established by the Commission, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 An advisory committee for the prevention of cancer, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’, is hereby esta- blished by the Commission. The Committee shall be composed of not more than 15 members. Article 2 The Committee may be consulted by the Commission on all matters relating to: — cancer data, including epideriology, — early detection of cancer and cancer screening, — information of the public on cancer prevention, — cancer related aspects of health education in schools, — quality assurance procedure in cancer management (including the issue of quality of life of cancer patients and palliative care), — preventive aspects which may be developed on the basis of the results of fundamental and clinical cancer research carried out under the Biomed programme and other research initiatives,