The European Commission recommends that screening be offered in organised programmes, with quality assurance at all levels and good information about benefits and risks. A reduction in mortality and incidence of advanced disease can be achieved only if coverage is high and standards of rigorous quality assurance are respected.

Please find the following helpul information:

• EU Press Release: Europe needs to intensify and double cancer screening, concludes Commission report (22 January 2009)
• EU Press Release: Overview of the current coverage of population-based screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer across the EU (22 January 2009)
• Commission Report - Implementation of the Council Recommendation of 2 December 2003 on cancer screening (2003/878/EC) (December 2008)
• European guidelines for cervical cancer screening (March 2008)
• European guidelines for breast cancer screening (July 2006)
• EU Council Recommendation on cancer screening (2003)
• ECPC Press Release: Cancer Screening Saves Lives (Oct 2007)
• ECPC Press Release: UK Government implements Council Recommendation on Colon Cancer Screening (2 August 2005)

ECPC's activites on Cancer Screening

Scientifically sound best practice guidelines for quality assurance of CRC screening have yet to be developed. Such guidelines will now be drawn up by a consortium of experts, supported by the Commission, along the lines of the work which has already been carried out for breast and cervical cancer. This welcome initiative will ensure that quality assurance standards are developed and shared across the 27 Members States of the European Union.

ECPC is a partner of the group that develops Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines and is collaborating with experts in this EU funded project to help produce "patient friendly" guidelines. We are keen that such guidelines be developed speedily and we will vigorously advocate that colon cancer screening along  EU Guidelines be made available to citizens in all Member States according to the Council Recommendation. Colorectal cancer if detected early is preventable. This European initiative will save many lives.

>> EU Project "CRC Screening Guidelines - Development of European Guidelines for Quality Assurance of Colorectal Cancer Screening - see Project Description -- ECPC Press Release (May 2007)

Colon Cancer Screening initiative in the US

In the US, a House of Representatives Bill was introduced to mark national colorectal awareness month. This legislation would increase access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment for uninsured and underinsured Americans.