[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/9297\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBetter cancer screening proves a game-changer\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2020, 2.7 million citizens in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer, and 1.3 million people lost their lives to cancer. \u0026nbsp;Most EU countries now screen for cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. But the new scientific advice supports updating screening advice for all Member States. Earlier diagnosis saves lives. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018There is no process to detect lung cancer early right now,\u2019 said \u003Ca href=\u0022 https:\/\/www.publichealthrotterdam.com\/\u0022\u003EProfessor Harry de Koning\u003C\/a\u003E, cancer scientist at Erasmus MC in the Netherlands. \u2018Lung cancer is simply detected by symptoms.\u2019 Unfortunately, if a person has a persistent cough or blood from the lungs the cancer is likely advanced, with little chance of a cure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EA \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sapea.info\/topic\/cancer-screening\/\u0022\u003Enew report \u003C\/a\u003Erecommends screening be introduced for lung and prostate cancers, and that existing programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer be improved. Such changes across Europe will detect more cancers, earlier.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EPopulation-based screenings are major tools to help detecting cancer early, which in turn gives the best chances of survival.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EProfessor \u00c9va Kondorosi\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EEarlier detection is a game changer. Low-dose CT scanning can pick out 85 to 90% of lung cancers four years earlier. If you find the cancer early enough, advised Prof. de Koning, robotic surgery with small incisions can remove just part of a patient\u2019s lung and cure the disease. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EPerhaps the biggest change is that there is now strong scientific evidence for introducing lung screening with computer tomography (CT) scanning for current and ex-smokers. \u0026nbsp;This could have the biggest impact in terms of lives saved.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EA lung cancer screen will also give doctors an opportunity to talk to tobacco smokers about quitting, and screening can save the lives of those who quit many years ago. \u2018Even those who stopped smoking 30 to 40 years ago, unfortunately, are still at risk of lung cancer,\u2019 explained Prof. de Koning, who was involved in expert discussions on screening.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe approach to screening will vary between countries and regions, said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/erc.europa.eu\/erc_member\/eva-kondorosi\u0022\u003EProf. \u00c9va Kondorosi\u003C\/a\u003E, a biochemist and research professor at the Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. She is also a member of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/strategy\/support-policy-making\/scientific-support-eu-policies\/group-chief-scientific-advisors_en\u0022\u003EGroup of Chief Scientific Advisors\u003C\/a\u003E to the European Commission who helped lead the assessment. \u2018There is so much difference in consumption of cigarettes and also incidence of lung cancer,\u2019 she noted, that countries will need to devise their own programmes.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0027Population-based screenings are major tools to help detecting cancer early, which in turn gives the best chances of survival,\u0027 said Prof. Kondrosi in support of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/news\/improving-citizens-participation-cancer-screening-programmes-and-extending-them-more-types-cancer-will-help-saving-lives-eu-chief-scientific-advisor-recommend-2022-mar-02_en\u0026amp;pk_campaign=rtd_news\u0022\u003EScientific Opinion\u003C\/a\u003E released on 2 March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother recommendation, drawn up by the Scientific Advice Mechanism of the EU, is to screen for prostate cancer using blood tests. Though controversial in the past, a test based on detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the prostate gland, is highly effective in identifying men who would benefit from further magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning tests. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThere is no process to detect lung cancer early right now. Lung cancer is simply detected by symptoms.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EProfessor Harry de Koning\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EKnowing who to screen is important, as a positive test in men aged over 80 years of age is not helpful. But it is hugely beneficial to younger men. Like lung cancer, symptoms of prostate cancer only come when the disease is at a late stage. \u2018That\u2019s why you need to do these tests earlier, to find it earlier,\u2019 said Prof. de Koning, who co-chaired the expert group. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExisting screens\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen evidence changes, medical advice should change. \u0026nbsp;Until recently, most breast cancer screening programmes in Europe began in women aged 50 or so. The advice now is that mammography screening should begin in women in their mid to late 40s, and that an MRI scan should be considered for women with dense breast tissue. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is normal for some women, perhaps 10%, to have especially dense breast tissue. But this makes cancer difficult to detect using mammographs. \u0026nbsp;\u2018A big trial we ran in the Netherlands showed the value of MRI screening in these women,\u2019 said Prof. de Koning, reported \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34346656\/\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. Putting extra resources into MRI scans should save lives and money, according to the expert group.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother improvement is to move away from smear tests, where cells are examined for signs of cervical cancer under a microscope. A more effective approach is to test for the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) strains linked to cervical cancer. \u2018Cervical cancer is rare without an HPV infection,\u2019 said Prof, Koning. \u0026nbsp;\u2018HPV testing is more sensitive and more effective than Pap smears.\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EIf HPV is detected, then a woman would need further tests. \u0026nbsp;But testing for the virus can exclude those who are not at risk. \u0026nbsp;Eventually, it is hoped that HPV vaccines will almost \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.europeancancer.org\/topic-networks\/1:hpv-action.html\u0022\u003Eeliminate this cancer\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EA fifth recommendation is for colorectal cancer screening. \u0026nbsp;This involves transitioning towards the faecal immunochemical test, as well as adjusting what constitutes a positive test and the frequency of testing by age, sex and previous test results. \u0026nbsp;\u2018In many countries, you can now do this test yourself and post it back to the laboratory,\u2019 said Prof. Koning. \u0026nbsp;\u2018And it\u2019s a better test.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaving lives\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe expert group also looked at a range of other cancers to see if screening was justified. There was not sufficient evidence to support screening for oesophageal, pancreatic or ovarian cancer. \u2018There was a big trial for ovarian cancer and it simply didn\u2019t manage to find ovarian cancer earlier,\u2019 said Prof. de Koning, which is unfortunate, since ovarian cancer is often fatal. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EExperts hope that in future blood tests will be able to identify tell-tale signs of these cancers. Prof. Kondorosi notes that pancreatic cancer is difficult to recognise and often fatal within a few months of being diagnosed. \u0026nbsp;\u2018If we can learn how to screen for it, this would save a lot of lives,\u2019 she adds. There is a clinical trial looking at a blood test for this cancer and guidance might change in a year or two, she notes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EScreening for gastric cancer was also considered, but Europe-wide action was not recommended. \u2018The incidence rate is different between countries [for gastric cancer],\u2019 said Prof. Kondorosi. \u0026nbsp;\u2018It was so much higher in Baltic countries and in Portugal.\u2019 \u0026nbsp;In these countries, screening for the bacterial infection Helicobacter pylori \u2013 a major cause of gastric cancer \u2013 could be considered, especially because this infection can quite easily be treated, added Prof. Kondorosi.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe recommendations came after a review of scientific studies and clinical trials and discussions among dozens of top experts at three separate workshops, as well as patient groups.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EProf. Kondorosi said that almost all Member States run screening programmes for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer, but that in some countries, participation could be better. She hopes that the official guidance will assist countries in introducing improvements and saving lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EThe overall economic impact of cancer in Europe is estimated to vault \u20ac100 billion each year. Lives lost to cancer will rise by more than 24% by 2035, it is estimated, making it the leading cause of death in the EU.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003EProf. de Koning has been involved in evaluating cancer screening for almost three decades. \u0026nbsp;He is optimistic that new screening advice, such as for lung cancer, and changes to existing cancer screening will prevent many cancer deaths when widely adopted by EU members.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2013 Follow the link below to learn more about the \u003Cstrong\u003EScientific opinion of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/519a9bf4-9f5b-11ec-83e1-01aa75ed71a1\u0022\u003ECancer screening in the European Union\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2013 Follow the link below to learn more about the \u003Cstrong\u003Escientific evidence review\u003C\/strong\u003E about cancer screening in the European Union.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sapea.info\/topic\/cancer-screening\/\u0022\u003EEvidence Review Report of SAPEA \u2013 Improving cancer screening in the European Union\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe research in this article was funded by the EU. 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