Committees 9th parliamentary term (2019 - 2024)
European Parliament
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18-03-2021 13:45
Hearing: Why screening and early detection of cancer matter

Hearings BECA
Brussels, European Parliament, Paul-Henri Spaak 3C50 and remote participation
4 photo's Mosaic, different angle view of the meeting room during the BECA Hearing. Picturing the Chair present in the room as well as experts participating remotely.
Saving lives and improving patient outcomes: Why screening and early detection of cancer matter © European Union 2021 - European Parliament

The Beating Cancer Committee took a close look at cancer screening and early detection during a public hearing with 9 leading experts and European Commission representatives on 18 March. MEPs discussed about the role of cancer registries, A.I. and big data, and screening for cervical cancer, breast cancer, colorectal and gastric cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Big disparities in cancer screening still exist between and within EU countries, despite the fact that it can save lives.

Screening aims to detect certain cancers or malignancies at an early stage in healthy people, before the first symptoms appear. Treatments are then more efficient, increasing the chance of survival and recovery. Following the recommendations of the European Council, EU member states have introduced population-based screening programmes in their National Cancer Control Plans for
  • breast cancer
  • cervical cancer
  • colorectal cancer.

However, even though screening and early detection can help save lives, big differences between and within EU countries exist regarding coverage and access to screening programmes.
The number of people in risk groups who are tested varies from country to country:
It ranges from 6% to 90% for breast cancer and from 25% to 80% for cervical cancer.

Europe's Beating Cancer Plan therefore includes several initiatives to improve cancer screening, such as the EU Cancer Screening Scheme.

You can watch the recording of the hearing by clicking on the links below.