Cancer Screening

Since the establishment of the Europe against Cancer Programme in 1985, cancer rates have dropped overall by 10%. However, it is estimated that approximately one European in four will die of cancer.

The European Parliament has voted on the Mussa Report on the Commission’s recommendion for best practice on three cancer screening tests:

* pap smear screening for cervical abnormalities (starting between the ages of 20-30);
* mammography screening for breast cancer (in women aged 50-69);
* faecal occult blood screening for bowel cancer (in men and women aged 50-74).

Other tests may also be recommended once research shows that they meet the criteria for organised cancer screening. For example, the effectiveness of the PSA (prostate-specifc antigen) test for prostate cancer is currently being evaluated.

John Bowis said: “Cures for cancer are still being sought, but year by year we see progress. The formerly
unmentionable disease has, to some extent, overcome the stigma, not least because of advances in medical science giving hope to patients and families. These depend on early diagnosis, which comes from screening.

“This is a welcome document to help spread best practice in the fight against cancer, particularly during the week of National Cancer Awareness Day. There is need for still more research into new tests, and screening tests must be available to all workers exposed to mutagenic and carcinogenic substances.

“Screening for bowel cancer – new in the UK – is the first screening test available to men. It will be interesting to see how men react to screening programmes in terms of take-up and whether their general health-seeking behaviours are improved as a result. Prostate cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the most common cause of cancer in British men. It is therefore crucial to continue to raise awareness of symptoms and to invigorate our efforts to develop a screening test for this cancer.”