Brussels, 09/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - Under the initiative of David Byrne, the Commission on Thursday presented the Council with a proposed recommendation on screening for cancer, a disease which kills one in four people in Europe. This proposal aims to define the guidelines for good practises and quality standards for screening. It recommends that the Member States implement effective screening programmes for breast, colon and cervical cancer, i.e.: 1) mammography screening for breast cancer in women aged 50-69; 2) faecal occult blood screening for colorectal cancer in men and women aged 50-74; 3) pap smear screening for cervical abnormalities, starting between the ages of 20 and 30. This proposal is to be examined by the EU Health Ministers, with a view to adopting a recommendation to Council. See http: //europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_determinants/genetics/keydo_genetics_en.htm