A Significant Step Forward In Strengthening Cervical Cancer Screening

On 31 October 2025, Riga hosted an international colposcopy trainer course, marking a Significant Step Forward In Strengthening Cervical Cancer Screening and education across the region.

This training was organised under the umbrella of the EU-supported Joint Action project EUCanScreen, which focuses on implementing sustainable, high-quality screening programmes for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer across Europe.

Shifting Focus: Training the Trainers

Unlike standard clinical courses, the primary objective of this international course was “training the trainers.” Rather than focusing solely on the medical methodology itself, the curriculum was dedicated to enhancing the pedagogical, teaching, and feedback skills of existing experts. The goal was to master both the theoretical and practical aspects of delivering structured, high-quality colposcopy training to the next generation of medical professionals.

This initiative is part of a dedicated work package aimed at training cervical cancer screening specialists and establishing robust regional training centres. The work package is coordinated by the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Centre under the leadership of Ameli Trope.

By preparing colposcopy training practitioners, the project ensures that these specialists can return to their respective countries and successfully implement structured, standardised colposcopy training programmes within their regions.

Led by International Experts

The course featured a prestigious lineup of instructors, bringing together internationally recognised European colposcopy specialists:

·         Assoc. Prof. Jana Zodzika – Secretary General of the European Federation for Colposcopy (EFC) and Associate Professor at Riga Stradins University (Latvia).

·         Ameli Trope – Head of the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Centre.

·         Cecilia Karrberg – Specialist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Sweden) and Chair of the Colposcopy Society.

A Strong Regional Impact

The course saw active participation from dedicated specialists across the Baltic region and beyond, welcoming attendees from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Ukraine.

By equipping these regional practitioners with advanced teaching tools, the EUCanScreen project continues to foster international collaboration and elevate the standards of cancer prevention and women’s healthcare across Europe.