Strengthening cancer screening initiatives through collaboration with Joint Research Centre

A joint meeting on 12 February brought together experts and stakeholders from the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the Healthcare Quality Group, and EUCanScreen project to discuss cancer screening initiatives, key activities, and expected results. The aim of the discussion was to improve collaboration, align efforts, and ensure that screening programmes and guidelines are effectively developed and implemented across Europe.

An important aspect of the discussion focused on effectively utilising results from various initiatives to contribute to the development of European guidelines. The participants acknowledged the importance of the developed resources, which included toolkits for screening best practices and addressing participation barriers. The goal is to ensure that these resources are effectively integrated into the process of developing and updating European guidelines, particularly in areas such as addressing health literacy.

The risk-stratified approach to cancer screening was another key topic. Participants deliberated on the analysis and adaptation of existing guidelines to integrate risk stratification, which could potentially yield fresh recommendations and enhanced screening strategies. The importance of collaboration between projects was emphasised, along with a suggestion to include representatives from relevant initiatives in specific task forces to ensure alignment and maximise the use of available expertise.

A key action point of the meeting is scheduling follow-up meetings, starting with a detailed discussion of implementation research to improve the existing screening programmes. These meetings will involve relevant experts and stakeholders, including representatives from Work Packages 6 (addressing barriers and facilitators in cancer screening), 9 (risk-based approaches), and 10 (modelling and health technology assessment to optimise cancer screening programmes across Europe) to explore synergies and ensure that project outputs are effectively channelled into the development of European guidelines. The objective is to create a clear roadmap for collaboration, optimise project results, and avoid duplication of effort.

The overall dynamic of the meeting was highly positive, with participants expressing enthusiasm for the potential of collaboration to strengthen cancer screening initiatives. The commitment to ongoing dialogue and joint action will ensure that the valuable work being done in individual projects contributes to a more comprehensive and effective approach to cancer screening across Europe.