Ref.: COM (2003) 0230, Proposal for a Council Recommendation on cancer screening
Rapporteur: Antonia Mussa (UEN; Italy)
Procedure: Consultation.
Summary: Based on evidence from the EU programme “Europe Against Cancer”, the proposal recommends the development of three main screening tests (Mammography for breast cancer, Faecal occult blood for colorectal cancer, pap smear for cervical cancer) as well as other tests, including PSA screening for prostate cancer, upon scientific validation.
Links: Initial proposal ; Final Act ; EMHF News
Last update: 26 April 2004
Status | The procedure is now terminated and the final act was adopted on 2 December 2003 and published in the OJ L 327, 16/12/2003 P. 0034 – 0038 under the title: Council Recommendation of 2 December 2003 on cancer screening. The Commission is set to prepare a report on the implementation of the recommendation by 2nd of December 2006. |
19 November 2003 | The EP in plenary session adopted the ENVI committee report. |
04 November 2003 | The ENVI committee adopted Antonio Mussa’s report. Mr Mussa's report was in agreement with the Commission's proposal and made further recommendations: To Member states: development of appropriate psychological support to accompany screening procedures; availability of tests to all workers most at risks, improvement of information exchange among Member States. To the Commission: increased information dissemination about tests risks and benefits, Member States must be encouraged to support further research in the field.
In particular, the report pointed out screening policy must be conscious of men and women’s different health challenges and needs, adding that particular attention should be paid to men's uptake of screening programmes for colorectal cancer. Among other new screening tests, MEPs suggested the proposal should include further research on the effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer. |
Initial proposal, transmitted to the EP and to the Council on 06 May 2003 | Although statistics show a decrease of 10% in cancer rates across the EU, the Commission is concerned that these rates remain high. The Commission also identified substantial discrepancies in cancer death rates between Member States. As the Advisory Committee on Cancer Prevention indicated that enough evidence existed to prove the effectiveness of early detection screening. The Commission’s proposal recommended the development of the following screening tests: - Mammography screening for breast cancer in women aged 50-69;
- Faecal occult blood screening for colorectal cancer in men and women aged 50-74;
- Pap smear screening for cervical abnormalities, starting between the ages of 20-30;
- And other tests that may also be recommended once research shows that they meet the criteria for organised cancer screening.
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