Brussels, 03/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 3 February, on the eve of World Cancer Day, the European Commission published the first edition of European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer (CCR) screening and diagnostics, with the object, as the name suggests, of improving the screening and diagnostics of this disease. At European level, this type of cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer and the second-highest cause of death by cancer, with one in every seven new cases of cancer and one in every eight fatal cases of cancer.
The new guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnostics form the final plank of a triptych, together with two others on breast cancer and cervical cancer, which aim to help the member states in the execution of their national screening and detection programmes. By following these guidelines, the member states can make their healthcare systems more effective and, in particular, improve the diagnostics and treatment of cancers identified in the screening process. National screening practised as per the procedure recommended by the European Union can cut fatal cases of CCR by 15% in people of the corresponding age group (50-74 years old), who are invited to attend a screening session.
These guidelines are available at the EU Book Shop or via this link (http://www.ec.europa.eu/health/major_chronic_diseases/diseases/cancer/index_en.htm #fragment3). (L.C./transl.fl)