European Cancer Organisation Responds to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on Cancer Screening

The European Cancer Organisation recently responded to a Call for Evidence by the European Commission as it prepares to publish a proposed update of the 2003 EU Council Recommendations on cancer screening.

Working with its Network on Prevention, Early Detection and Screening, the European Cancer Organisation made a submission to the call.

Building on its 2021 consensus paper ‘Earlier is Better’, the reply emphasised the need to:

• Employ a holistic response to the policy needs in cancer screening and early detection, via new Council Recommendations on Cancer Screening and Early Detection
• Take full account of the evolutions in science and practice since the 2003 EU cancer screening recommendations, including in respect to risk-based cancer screening and early detection
• Make the best of new tests, such as HPV self-sampling, self-screening tests, and technologies, such as AI, multi-cancer early detection and liquid biopsies
• Set clear and binding goals and time targets for earlier detection of cancer as a means to strengthen the Recommendations’ implementation framework
• Elevate cancer early detection beyond cancer screening programmes, via enhanced awareness of cancer warning signs and recognition of the role of primary care
• Address policy needs to convert cancer screening and early detection into optimal diagnosis, treatment and care pathway, such as in respect to timeliness of referral, pathologists’ shortages and molecular diagnostic tools such as genomic tumour testing

Read our full response here.