Presence, characteristics and equity of access to breast cancer screening programmes in 27 European countries in 2010 and 2014. Results from an international survey.
The European Union Council Recommendation of 2 December 2003 on cancer screening suggests the implementation of organised, population-based breast cancer screening programmes based on mammography every other year for women aged 50 to 69years, ensuring equal access to screening, taking into account potential needs for targeting particular socioeconomic groups. A European survey on coverage and participation, and key organisational and policy characteristics of the programmes, targeting years 2010 and 2014, was undertaken in 2014. Overall, 27 countries contributed to this survey, 26 of the 28 European Union member states (92.9%) plus Norway. In 2014, 25 countries reported an ongoing population-based programme, one country reported a pilot programme and another was planning a pilot. In eight countries, the target age range was broader than that proposed by the Council Recommendation, and in three countries the full range was not covered. Fifteen countries reported not reaching some vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, prisoners and people without health insurance, while 22 reported that participation was periodically monitored by socioeconomic variables (e.g. age and territory). Organised, population-based breast cancer screening programmes based on routine mammograms are in place in most EU member states. However, there are still differences in the way screening programmes are implemented, and participation by vulnerable populations should be encouraged.
['Deandrea|S|S|', 'Molina-Barceló|A|A|', 'Uluturk|A|A|', 'Moreno|J|J|', 'Neamtiu|L|L|', 'Peiró-Pérez|R|R|', 'Saz-Parkinson|Z|Z|', 'Lopez-Alcalde|J|J|', 'Lerda|D|D|', 'Salas|D|D|']
D000368:Aged D001943:Breast Neoplasms D055088:Early Detection of Cancer D005062:European Union D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008403:Mass Screening D008875:Middle Aged D012923:Social Class D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Breast neoplasms Early detection of cancer Europe Socioeconomic factors