Gender Minorities

Only 10 out of 25 European countries address gender minorities in the eligible population in their breast cancer screening programme. This was revealed in a recent survey conducted by EUCanScreen task 6.6. Changes to policies to expand eligibility criteria are clearly needed.

Cancer Risks

The right to screening should be based on cancer risk, not on legally recognised gender or any other societal factor. To achieve equity, we must also break down other barriers related to cancer screening. For example, there are deficiencies in invitational practices, and lack of knowledge among health care providers.

Overcoming Barriers

These barriers and ways to overcome them will be studied in the next phase of the task – led by Finnish Cancer Registry – in semi-structured interviews in Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, and Latvia.

@EUCanScreen  #CancerScreening #PublicHealth #CancerPrevention #EarlyDetection 

Addressing Barriers

As part of the EUCanScreen Joint Action, Finland participates in a case study that aims to identify individual barriers and facilitators for attendance to the breast cancer screening programme.

The Finnish Cancer Registry

The novelty and the value of our study stems from combining large population-based Healthy Finland 2022–2023 survey data with reliable information from the Finnish Cancer Registry among women aged 50–69 years.

Breast Cancer Screening

 According to our preliminary results, it appeared that women with unhealthy lifestyle habits, poorer self-perceived health or social wellbeing, or mental health diagnoses were less likely to attend the latest breast cancer screening.

Different Population Groups

Improving screening uptake, ensuring the long-term success of screening programmes, and achieving better health equity for all, require clear understanding of individual barriers and facilitators that may influence participation across different population groups. By identifying groups with the lowest participation and the factors contributing to non-attendance, interventions can be more precisely tailored and targeted to improve uptake – and ultimately, to decrease cancer mortality.

Read more: https://cancerregistry.fi/screening/breast-cancer-screening/

#EUCanScreen #PopulationSurvey #RegistryData #Registry #CancerResearch #CancerScreening #BreastCancerScreening #HealthEquity

Available Public Health and Clinical Interventions

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has published new research estimating the global number of cancer deaths that could potentially be avoided through effective prevention measures, earlier diagnosis, and access to curative treatment. The population-based study examines worldwide cancer mortality and assesses how many deaths among individuals diagnosed with cancer might be prevented using currently available public health and clinical interventions.

Cancer Risk Factors

The analysis shows that approximately 4.5 million deaths among people diagnosed with cancer globally in 2022 could have been avoided. This represents nearly half of all cancer deaths in this population. The largest share of preventable deaths is linked to primary prevention, accounting for about 3.1 million deaths related to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, infections associated with cancer, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Early Detection and Access to Treatment

In addition to prevention, the study highlights the critical role of early detection and access to treatment. Around 1.4 million deaths could potentially be avoided through improved screening programmes, timely diagnosis, and access to effective therapies. The findings show that cancers such as breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer contribute substantially to deaths that could be prevented through improved health care delivery.

Global Disparities

The research also emphasizes major global disparities. Low and middle income countries experience the highest burden of preventable cancer deaths because prevention programmes, screening coverage, and treatment services remain limited. The findings provide important evidence for governments and health organizations seeking to strengthen national cancer control strategies and expand prevention and early detection programmes.

Read more 

Finland Cancer Screening Programmes

Finland is not only the happiest country in the world. Finns are also among the most screening‑friendly people! Participation rates in national cancer screening programmes are exceptionally high and reflect strong public trust and commitment to preventive health.

The Finnish Cancer Registry

The Finnish Cancer Registry has been a forerunner in conducting major screening studies. Before any new screening programme is implemented or changes are made to existing programmes, they are evaluated in pilot and modelling studies.

Decades of screening expertise:

• Cervical cancer screening began in 1963
• Breast cancer screening data collected since 1987
• Colorectal cancer screening data collected since the nationwide rollout in 2022

Screenings Evaluations

The Registry guides the implementation of all three programmes and evaluates screenings nationwide. The #EUCanScreen Joint Action is an excellent opportunity for the Finnish Cancer Registry to share best practices and learn from other EU countries in order to further improve cancer screening programmes.

Annual Reports

Interested in a clear overview of screening participation, results, and changes in cancer incidence? The Annual Reports of the Cancer Screening Programmes provide a concise summary of screening activities.

Read more: https://cancerregistry.fi/reports-and-publications/annual-reports-of-cancer-screening-programmes/

#EUCanScreen #RegistryData #Registry #CancerScreening

The Mammography Screening Program

The mammography screening programme was the first organized screening program to be implemented nationwide in Germany in
2009. Currently, all women between the ages of 50 and 75 receive a free mammogram every two years . The costs of mammograms
for breast cancer are covered by statutory health insurers.

Read more about German mammography screening programme here!

Organization and Evaluation

The Kooperationsgemeinschaft Mammographie is responsible for the organization and evaluation of the German mammography screening programme:

Read more!

Study Results

Study results show a significant reduction of breast cancer mortality among screening participants.

Read more!

The Cervical Cancer Screening

In Germany, women aged 20 and over can regularly have screening tests for cervical cancer (paid for by their statutory health insurer).

Available Tests

These tests are available:

• Women between the ages of 20 and 34 can have a free Pap test once a year.
• Women aged 35 and over are eligible for a combination of the Pap test and the HPV test every three years.

You can find more detailed information about the German cervical cancer screening programme here.

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme

In Germany, colorectal cancer screening is offered for people between the ages of 50 and 75. The costs are covered by statutory health insurers.

Screening Methods

Currently, there are two screening methods for colorectal cancer:

colonoscopy and the stool test for occult blood.

• Colonoscopy: Women and men aged 50 and over can have two colonoscopies , ten years
• Stool test: As an alternative to colonoscopy, women and men aged 50 and over can have a stool test every two years.

Anyone who decides against a second colonoscopy ten years after their first can have stool tests instead.
Furthermore, abnormal stool test results always entitle the individual to a colonoscopy for further investigation.

You can find more detailed information about the German colorectal cancer screening programme here.

Early Detection

Population-based breast cancer screening using mammography has been offered to women in Iceland since 1987, with the objective of reducing breast cancer mortality through early detection.

National Guidelines

Until 2021, the programme was managed by the Icelandic Cancer Society. Responsibility has since been transferred to the Cancer Screening Coordination Centre, which operates under the Primary Health Care of the Capital Area. The Centre coordinates and organises the screening programme, including issuing invitations in accordance with national guidelines, communicating results, and providing public information to support informed participation.

Quality & Performance

The Directorate of Health has overall oversight of the programme. Its responsibilities include issuing screening guidelines, defining quality indicators and performance benchmarks, and conducting quality assurance through monitoring outcomes and implementation.

Mammography Examinations

Mammography examinations are performed at the Breast Screening Centre at Landspítali University Hospital and at Akureyri Hospital in North Iceland. In addition, mobile screening units operate during spring and autumn, providing services in rural areas to ensure equitable access regardless of residence. All mammograms are interpreted by radiologists at Landspítali University Hospital.

Results & Follow-up

Women aged 40–74 years are eligible for screening. Women aged 40–69 are invited every two years, while women aged 70–74 are invited every three years. Invitations are sent via digital mailboxes and traditional postal mail. Women with normal findings receive results digitally and are invited to their next screening, while those with abnormal findings are referred for further assessment and follow-up.

Participation Rates

In 2024, the participation rate in breast cancer screening was 61%, below the target of 75%. Participation varies substantially across population groups. Women with Icelandic citizenship had an attendance rate of 67%, compared with 23% among women with non-Icelandic citizenship. Lower participation has also been observed among younger women and in certain geographical areas. Despite these disparities, participation has gradually increased across all subgroups in recent years.

Ensure Equitable Access

To improve uptake and promote equity, several measures have been implemented. In 2024, the Ministry of Health reduced the out-of-pocket fee for mammography from approximately €40 (6,000 ISK) to €3 (500 ISK), significantly lowering financial barriers to participation. Informational materials, including invitation letters, have been translated into English and Polish, and multilingual posters have been distributed in public spaces.

Encouraging Participation

These materials provide practical information about screening and inform women of their right to take time off work to attend appointments. The Cancer Screening Coordination Centre also conducts year-round targeted social media campaigns to encourage participation.

W.O.M.E.N.

Targeted outreach to migrant women has included collaboration with the Women of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland (W.O.M.E.N. in Iceland) and other stakeholders. Activities have included discussion meetings and an open house at the Breast Screening Centre, offering information and opportunities to familiarise migrant women with the screening process, supported by interpretation services.

Public Health Impact

Iceland’s breast cancer screening programme is a well-established national initiative with strong governance and quality oversight. While participation remains below target, recent improvements and targeted measures demonstrate a clear commitment to equity and continued public health impact.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In October 2025, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Screening Coordination Centre in Iceland launched a campaign to remind women of the importance of attending regular breast cancer screening. The initiative focused on promoting self-care and self-love through light-hearted, engaging messages that encouraged women to prioritize their health and attend breast cancer screening when invited.

Stickers

As part of the campaign, stickers were designed for placement on mirrors in locations frequently visited by women in the screening age of 40-74 years old, such as gyms, public swimming pools, spas, shopping centres, and restaurants. These visual reminders aimed to catch women’s attention in everyday settings, reinforcing the message that taking time for their health is an essential act of self-care.

Make Time for Yourself

In addition, a second type of sticker was created for placement on mannequins in retail stores selling women’s clothing. These stickers conveyed a similar message, encouraging women to make time for themselves and to participate in breast cancer screening.

HSE National Screening Service

Every year, in the HSE National Screening Service, we run national awareness campaigns to help people understand the importance of cancer screening – and to encourage them to take part when they’re invited.

From eye-catching social media posts, and radio ads, to real-life stories, our campaigns are designed to reach people with messages that matter.

Here we share a few standout examples of how we’re helping more people make informed choices about screening.

How a patient story about bowel screening inspired action

In 2024, we partnered with Mary Kennedy, a member of our Patient and Public Partnership, to share her bowel screening story. Mary’s cancer was found through BowelScreen – Ireland’s national bowel screening programme, even though she had no symptoms.

Together, we co-designed a social media campaign that shared her message: the importance of taking part in screening when you feel well.

HSE National Screening Service

In Ireland’s HSE National Screening Service, we are transforming how we communicate to make sure everyone can find, understand and use our information. By focusing on health literacy, accessibility and inclusion, we are helping more people to make informed choices about screening.

Clear, accessible information for everyone

People need clear, trusted information to understand what screening is, decide whether to take part, and know what to expect.

We know from research that around 4 in 10 adults in Ireland have limited health literacy. People with lower health literacy levels have poorer health outcomes and are less likely to engage in preventive healthcare measures such as screening.

We’re leading the way in making sure that everyone can:

• find the information they need
• understand what they find
• use the information to make informed decisions.

This approach underpins all of our written communications – from our digital platforms to our invitation letters – and helps improve health literacy and reduce barriers to screening.

A toolkit for quality, equity and respect

We developed a comprehensive Communications toolkit to guide this work. This toolkit sets out best practice principles for creating information that is caring, clear, person-centred, inclusive and respectful. It covers everything from plain language and tone of voice to layout and structure. We support our staff by providing training and workshops on how to apply these principles consistently across our written communications.

Accessible information

We’ve developed accessible information about our screening programmes. This means we provide information in a way that everyone, including people with disabilities, can read, understand and use. We have created easy-to-read, plain English and photo story resources. We have translated some of the resources into different languages.

HSE National Screening Service

In Ireland, the HSE National Screening Service and National Cancer Control Programme worked with Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre to improve knowledge and awareness about cancer prevention and cancer screening programmes among the Traveller population.

Travellers tell the story of the project through their eyes

These infographics were co-designed with Traveller Primary Health Care Workers (PHCWs). They tell the story of the project process, challenges and results, in picture form. The culturally appropriate imagery reflects Traveller accommodations and everyday life, which can be shared within Traveller communities.

There is one infographic for each of Ireland’s cancer screening programmes – BowelScreen, BreastCheck and CervicalCheck.