New Cancer Screening

eEUView - PUBLIC HEALTH

The EU has taken a new approach to cancer screening to improve early detection across the EU. This is another important European step in the fight against cancer. In fact, many of the new recommendations are already a reality in many European countries. The aim is to extend best practices in all 27 EU countries.

Brussels, 9 December 2022

The new EU approach, the subject of an EU Council Recommendation addressed to EU countries, is based on the most recent scientific developments and data and its aim is to help ensure that 90% of the EU population who satisfy the requirements for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening have the opportunity to meet them by 2025. The new approach also calls for extending screening programs to include prostate, lung and, under certain circumstances, gastric cancer, according to a stepwise approach. The recommendation is part of a new EU cancer screening programme, presented as a flagship initiative of the European plan to fight cancer.

A. For breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, the new EU approach recommends:

breast cancer screening with mammography for women aged 50 to 69 and recommend it for women aged 45 to 74;
human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as the preferred tool for cervical cancer screening for women aged 30 to 65, with an interval of at least five years;
quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as the preferred test for colorectal cancer screening before referring people aged 50 to 74 years for a follow-up colonoscopy.

B. As regards lung, prostate and gastric cancer, the recommendation invites Member States, based on further research:

to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of low-dose computed tomography for screening individuals at high risk for lung cancer, including heavy smokers and ex-smokers, and to link screening to primary and secondary prevention approaches;
to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of organized prostate cancer screening for men, based on prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a follow-up;
followed by screening and testing strategies for Helicobacter pylori (a bacterium that can cause gastric cancer) for countries and regions with high incidence and mortality related to gastric cancer.

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A financial support is available for cancer screening, including €38.5 million already committed to projects under the EU4Health program and €60 million under Horizon Europe. Under the EU for Health 2023 Work Programme, another €38.5 million will help Member States implement this new Council Recommendation and develop EU guidance. Further support can also be provided by the European regional, cohesion and social funds.

Go to European Health Policy Platform - All Diseases and health threats (including cancer)

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