Workstream 3 was established to develop and articulate policy recommendations and guidelines on cancer screening across the EU, supporting member states in implementing the six common cancers highlighted by the EU Council (breast, cervical, colorectal, gastric, lung and prostate).

Over the last two years, the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) collaborated with leading experts and partner organisations to collect evidence, assess current practices, and inform policy development. This work has been compiled into a comprehensive report and policy action plan to achieve more effective and equitable screening practices in Europe.

The collaborative approach featured in the development of the Report ensures policy recommendations that are relevant, practical, and aligned with the needs of member states. ECO has engaged key stakeholders, including policymakers, medical professionals, patients, and representatives from healthcare institutions and non-governmental organisations in:

• surveys to gather best practices and real-life experiences from professionals and individuals involved in cancer screening in Europe;
• consultations to identify and analyse best practices across different cancer screening fields; and
• literature review and data compilation, validated by experts.

By benchmarking national performance through the new European Cancer Screening Policy Index and collecting real-life testimonies and examples of good practice, several key insights emerge:

• Despite strong EU frameworks, the implementation of organised cancer screening across member states remains incomplete.
• Social inequalities persist, with access to screening still influenced by income, education, and geography.
• New cancer screening programmes for prostate, lung, and gastric cancers are advancing through EU-supported pilot initiatives, which should evolve into full-scale implementation across member states.
• Good practices demonstrate that mobile screening units, self-collection kits, and culturally sensitive communication campaigns effectively increase participation in cancer screening.

The report outlines a series of key recommendations, with more available in the full document:

• Embed cancer screening investment in the next Multiannual Financial Framework: The European Parliament and EU member states should allocate dedicated resources to support cancer screening, including assistance for lower-capacity regions and cross-border cooperation. The proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans within the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework should facilitate investments in high-quality screening infrastructures. Ring-fenced funding should be secured to maintain Europe’s leadership in early cancer detection, with continued support for flagship projects such as PRAISE-U, SOLACE, TOGAS, EUCanScreen, and CanScreen-ECIS.

• Support cancer screening research: The European Commission, through Horizon Europe, should strengthen research to improve screening effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Priorities include advancing risk-adapted screening, integrating artificial intelligence in analysis and quality assurance, exploring new screening programmes, and developing innovative early detection methods such as multi-cancer detection, biomarkers, and liquid biopsy.

• Focus attention on cancer screening uptake: The European Commission should continue to investigate barriers to participation, run EU-wide awareness campaigns, and promote screening as a fundamental social right. member states should ensure free access to screening and follow-up care, expand the use of self-collection methods, reach underserved groups, integrate inclusive communication strategies, gather participant feedback, and train healthcare professionals in sensitive communication practices.

For a quantitative study on European cancer screening policy, discover our new practical solution.

Workstream 3 is designed to develop and articulate policy recommendations and guidelines on cancer screening in Europe and ensure that Member States will make progress in the implementation of the EU Council recommendation on cancer screening adopted in 2021. 

For a quantitative study on European cancer screening policy, discover our new practical solution.

 

Background

ECO has been working to align national screening plans and support the European Union's efforts to implement cancer screening as defined by Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.

The pan-European campaign Time to Accelerate: for Cancer Screening includes dialogue with relevant national and European policy-makers to secure their commitment in this regard. ECO will use its role as facilitator to create synergies where possible and establish uniform policy recommendations.

Time to Accelerate: for Cancer Screening will include the organisation of high-level panels of experts, patient representatives, policymakers and institutional representatives where best practices and evidence will be presented together with data and research collected in the Cancer Screening Implementation Policy Index that will serve as a guide for policy-makers to guide and influence them to ensure progress in access, performance and research in cancer screening.