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European Union of Private Hospitals

European Health Union: A new EU approach on cancer detection – screening more and screening better

The Health Commissioner, Mrs Kyriakides, presented on 20 September a new approach to support Member States increasing the uptake of cancer screening, as part of the EU Cancer Screening Scheme to be put forward under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Focusing on detection of cancers at an early stage, the objective of the proposed recommendation is to increase the number of screenings, covering more target groups and more cancers.

This new EU approach, based on the latest available scientific developments and evidence, will support Member States ensuring that 90% of the EU population who qualify for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings are offered such screening by 2025. The new recommendation also expands population-based organised cancer screening to include lung, prostate and, under certain circumstances, gastric cancers.

What is new?

The recommendation aims to increase the uptake of cancer screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer to reach the target set in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to offer such screenings to 90% of those who qualify by 2025. In addition, targeted screening should be extended to other cancers, notably prostatelung and gastric cancer.

To facilitate more targeted and less invasive screening, the recommendation:

  • extends the target group for breast cancer screening to include women between 45 and 74 years of age (as compared to the current age bracket of 50 to 69);
  • recommends that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing should take place for women aged 30 to 65, every 5 years or more, to detect cervical cancer, taking account of HPV vaccination status;
  • calls for triage testing for colorectal cancer in people aged 50-74 through faecal immunochemical testing to determine potential follow-up via endoscopy/colonoscopy.

Building on the most recent evidence and methods, the recommendation extends organised screening to three additional cancers:

  • Lung cancer testing for current heavy and ex-smokers aged 50-75.
  • Prostate cancer testing in men up to 70 on the basis of prostate specific antigen testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning as follow-up.
  • Screening for Helicobacter pylori and surveillance of precancerous stomach lesions in places with high gastric cancer incidence and death rates.

The Recommendation pays particular attention to equal access to screening, the needs of particular socioeconomic groups, persons with disabilities and people living in rural or remote areas to make cancer screening a reality across the EU. It is also important to ensure adequate and timely diagnostic procedures, treatments, psychological support, and after-care. The recommendation furthermore introduces a regular systematic monitoring of screening programmes, including disparities, via the European Cancer Information System and the Cancer Inequalities Registry.

To support the implementation, EU guidelines on cancer screening and treatment will be developed with the financial support of EU4Health on lung, prostate, and gastric cancer. Existing EU guidelines on breast, colorectal and cervical cancer will be regularly updated.

Next Steps

Once adopted by the Council, the Recommendation will replace the current Recommendation on cancer screening from 2003.

More info at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5562?twclid=2-357kina6r5qhlsj3dvpwxvbda