Early cancer detection can make a difference. This is because there are more treatment options at an early stage to save lives. That is why the European Commission wants to promote cancer screening across the EU.
All EU countries must offer cancer screenings to 90% of eligible individuals by 2025. In addition, targeted screening should be expanded to include other cancers such as prostate-, long– in stomach cancer. This should be combined with a step-by-step approach to introduce prostate, lung and stomach cancer testing.
That is what the European Commission recommends to Member States in order to achieve the common goals of the European Cancer Plan.
The recommendations include:
- An extension of breast cancer screening: from women between the ages of 50 and 69 to women between the ages of 45 and 74.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Tests at least every five years in women between the ages of 30 and 65, instead of screening by Pap smear, taking into account HPV vaccination status.
- Triagetests op colon cancer in individuals aged 50 to 74 years by immunochemical testing to determine if they should be referred to follow-up endoscopy/colonoscopy.
- Lung cancer: introduce a screening for smokers and ex-smokers who have stopped smoking in the past 15 years, are 50 to 75 years old and have a smoking history of 30 pack years (equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 30 years).
- prostate cancer: introduce prostate cancer screening antigen tests for men up to 70 years of age, in combination with (MRI) scans and follow-up tests.
- stomach cancer: In countries or regions with high rates of gastric cancer deaths, screening for Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which can cause stomach ulcers and in some cases lead to stomach cancer, should be introduced. One should also be screened for pre-peptic ulcers.
4 billion investing in healthcare
Investing in cancer screening can help reduce the strain on health care systems through early detection, allowing for more, better, healthier years of life and, most importantly, saving lives. The European Cancer Plan is supported by a range of EU funding instruments. A total of 4 billion euros is being earmarked for actions to combat cancer.
This includes around EUR 38.5 million for screening-related projects through the EU4Health program and EUR 60 million through the Horizon Europe grant programme. The Commission will also propose additional cancer screening funding for the EU4Health program for 2023. EU countries can also use cohesion funds to support cancer screening through the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund Plus.
Knowing more? View the frequently asked questions, the press release or the fact sheet.