On 8 and 9 May, leading experts in breast cancer screening from Europe are gathering in Riga as part of the EUCanScreen project. The aim is to evaluate the results of a European survey on the training of mammography specialists (radiologists and radiographers), to develop a unified training programme for both new and experienced specialists in breast cancer screening in each member state, to plan the establishment of a regional mammography training centre in Latvia, and to coordinate the next steps for implementing this initiative.

The meeting brings together specialists in breast cancer screening from several countries, including Latvia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Cyprus. The experts are jointly evaluating the 2024 European survey on mammography specialist training to identify best practices and gaps in different countries. These findings will help us understand how a unified training approach can improve the quality of mammography screening across Europe. The survey provides information on training programmes, qualification requirements, and further training opportunities for radiologists and radiographers in different countries, as well as quality assurance for breast cancer screening.

Experts are developing a draft training programme for mammography specialists in Latvia, based on the survey data. The programme is expected to include both theoretical knowledge and practical skills (e.g., image interpretation, patient positioning, etc.), as well as the latest technologies – such as artificial intelligence tools. The goal is to create a unified training standard that will help upskill professionals for the early detection of breast cancer.

Special attention will be paid to the establishment of a mammography training centre in Latvia, which would serve as a reference for mammography training in the Baltic region and Europe. The centre is expected to involve both local and international experts and provide regular training courses for radiologists and radiographers. During the meeting, the steps for establishing the centre will be clarified – including the required equipment, staff training, and collaboration with leading screening centres in Europe. The training programme is expected to be piloted in Latvia in the coming years, and the centre will gradually welcome specialists from other countries for knowledge exchanges. It is important to mention that correct patient positioning and image analysis are critical in mammography screening. Highly qualified radiologists and radiographers, trained according to unified standards, ensure the early detection of tumours.

Benefits of a regional mammography training centre

The planned mammography training centre in Latvia will be the first regional training centre of its kind in the Baltics. There are several strategic benefits to its establishment:

• – Improving the qualifications of specialists. The centre will provide regular training for up-skilled specialists to ensure quality breast cancer screening according to European guidelines. In the first years of the project, future Latvian instructors will have the opportunity to train in Denmark and Italy, gaining both teaching and practical experience at mammography centres. By 2028, up to 56 radiologists and 16 radiographers are expected to participate in the training, significantly increasing the overall competence of specialists in Europe.
• – Implementing unified standards. The centre will introduce a unified training programme that aligns with European best practice and guidelines in mammography screening. The initiative will help to reduce differences between countries by providing specialists with the same quality criteria, image assessment protocols and patient positioning standards. As a result, women undergoing mammography screening will be able to rely on the same high quality of examination, regardless of the country.
• – International knowledge and innovation. The centre will act as a knowledge-sharing platform, where local experts will collaborate with experienced international experts. Guest speakers-experts in radiology, medical physics, and epidemiology – will be invited to share their latest findings and research. We will also test the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence solutions for mammography image analysis, which can aid in early detection of suspicious changes. This transfer of innovation will also contribute to the introduction of modern approaches into everyday practice in Latvia.
• – Sustainable development and regional role. The regional training centre is a long-term investment that will continue to operate after the EUCanScreen project ends. It will reinforce Latvia’s role as a regional competence centre for breast cancer screening and encourage closer cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The expert meeting in Riga is a significant step towards achieving the project’s goals. The results are relevant to a wide audience – healthcare professionals who provide cancer screening on a daily basis, project partners and policymakers who plan screening policies, as well as the general public who care about quality healthcare. By improving mammography specialist training and promoting international cooperation, patients will ultimately benefit: early and accurate detection of breast cancer means earlier treatment and higher survival rates. At the same time, medical staff will also benefit, as standardised training will facilitate knowledge exchange and professional development: radiologists and radiographers will have access to modern training tools and support from international mentors.

We expect to take concrete steps to implement the training programme and establish the centre after the Riga meeting. In the coming year, the first course participant selections may be announced, along with the definition of quality criteria for evaluating trained specialists’ knowledge. This project brings positive news to Latvian society – our country is becoming an active participant in Europe-wide health initiatives, and local experts are contributing to improving early cancer detection not only in Latvia but across Europe. The experience gained during the meeting reinforces the belief that ambitious goals can be achieved in collaboration with partners: in the future, breast cancer screening will be of equal high quality and accessibility for every woman, and the professional community will be prepared to face new healthcare challenges with knowledge, competence, and a unified approach.

Turin is emerging as a leading hub for cancer prevention innovation as experts from across Europe convene for the EUCanScreen Consortium Meeting on 12–14 May, 2025. Over the course of three days, participants will shape the future of cancer screening in the EU by aligning national programmes with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Hosted at Turin’s historic “Arsenale della Pace”, this high-profile event brings together EUCanScreen partners, cancer researchers, clinicians, and public health officials to advance early cancer detection efforts across Europe.

Cancer screening can be challenging to understand or implement – its guidelines, technologies, and eligibility criteria may seem complex, especially outside clinical or policy circles. Yet its impact is measured in the most tangible terms: lives saved and illnesses prevented. By detecting cancer early, Europe aims to prevent thousands of avoidable deaths. Meetings like this one make that possible. EUCanScreen plays a vital role in ensuring that expert knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas are shared across all Member States. The presence of representatives from DG SANTE and HaDEA underscores the significance of the meeting’s outcomes, which may directly inform future EU policy updates and funding priorities. For example, the European Commission could consider the consortium’s recommendations when identifying countries in greater need of support for lung cancer screening through upcoming EU4Health calls.

EUCanScreen’s work will continue to expand across Europe in the coming years, helping make cancer screening programmes more effective, equitable, and accessible. In practical terms, this could mean receiving timely, personalized invitations for screenings, such as mammography or colonoscopy, along with the support needed to follow through, including transportation assistance or flexible scheduling. Improvements also include more accurate and less invasive testing methods, like HPV self-sampling kits delivered to your home; new screening options, such as CT scans for long-time smokers; and clearer, more consistent communication from healthcare providers about the benefits of early detection. Crucially, the quality of cancer screening should be the same whether you live in a small Baltic country or a large Mediterranean one – thanks to the cross-border sharing of tools, data, and best practices.

The EUCanScreen Consortium Meeting in Turin demonstrates Europe’s united commitment to detecting cancer early, improving treatments and their outcomes, and, ultimately, saving lives. As participants return to their home countries equipped with new insights and actionable plans, citizens across Europe will benefit from a healthier future built on shared knowledge, innovation, and collaboration.

The EUCanScreen project is proud to spotlight Latvia as the lead country for communications in May 2025. As the project’s official coordinator, Latvia plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective and coherent execution of EUCanScreen’s ambitious goals across Europe.

At the heart of Latvia’s leadership is the University of Latvia (LU), which coordinates the entire EUCanScreen project and drives critical technical work. As coordinator of Work Package 1 (WP1) – Project Coordination, LU is responsible for managing project implementation across the consortium, ensuring streamlined communication and the deliverables. Additionally, LU leads Tasks 8.2 and 8.4 on gastric cancer screening implementation, as well as Task 11.7, which focusses on establishing a regional mammography training centre to enhance screening capacity.

Latvia’s national public health institution, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), also plays a crucial role. As an affiliated entity, SPKC supports the implementation of state-organised cancer screenings in compliance with European Commission quality standards. SPKC co-leads Work Package 11 on capacity building and is responsible for Task 11.3, which involves training healthcare professionals in colonoscopy and polypectomy. It is also a contributor to tasks aimed at improving outreach, training, and quality assurance across other screening modalities.

Latvia’s involvement doesn’t end there. Riga Stradins University (RSU) and the Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (PSKUS) both bring valuable clinical, educational, and research capacities to the project. RSU is particularly active in the field of cervical cancer screening, with deep expertise in colposcopy training, while PSKUS supports activities in multiple work packages related to prostate, lung, colorectal, and breast cancer screening.

As Latvia takes the lead in this month’s EUCanScreen communications, the spotlight is on its commitment to sustainable, high-quality cancer screening and its drive to reduce health inequalities. Latvia’s example highlights the power of cross-sector collaboration among universities, hospitals, and public health institutions—to bring cutting-edge screening programmes closer to Europe’s citizens.

Over the past decade, Latvia has expanded free, state-funded screening for several cancers. Organised screening programmes exist for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers, offering eligible residents routine checks at no cost. Every two years, we invite women aged 50–69 for mammography (breast screening) and women 25–70 for cervical screening (Pap test/HPV). Family doctors play a key role in colorectal cancer screening, providing at-home kits for faecal occult blood tests to patients 50–74. Since May 2021, primary care providers have also offered prostate cancer screening (PSA blood test) to men aged 50–75 and those aged 45+ with risk factors. These programmes are yielding gradual improvements in coverage: cervical screening participation rebounded to 55% in 2023 (up from 40% pre-pandemic), and breast screening to 36% (still below the EU average of ~56% but rising). Colorectal test uptake, while lower, climbed from under 7% in 2009 to about 26.5% by 2024. To boost these rates further, Latvia has introduced incentives for providers (e.g., pay-for-performance for GPs) and stepped up public education since 2010. SPKC regularly monitors and publishes screening indicators by region, ensuring data-driven quality control. Notably, a Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System was implemented in 2022 to improve mammography accuracy via double reading, and legislation now enables SPKC to maintain a comprehensive screening registry for evaluating program performance.

Latvian stakeholders emphasise that raising public awareness and building professional capacity are key to successful screenings. Under the EUCanScreen Work Package 11 (capacity-building), Latvia is developing training programmes – for example, RSU is creating standardised colposcopy training for cervical cancer prevention. At the same time, project partners are reviewing and translating patient information leaflets to ensure messages about early detection are clear and evidence-based. The tool MAPPinfo, which is used to assess the quality of health information, has been used to evaluate Latvian screening materials for accuracy and readability. On the community side, SPKC and healthcare providers continue to run outreach campaigns stressing that catching cancer early saves lives. They work with family doctors, gynaecologists, and NGOs to spread the word in clinics and through local municipalities. These collaborative efforts have helped increase screening acceptance – a testament to the importance of communication.

Latvia contributes to the common goal: ensuring all Europeans have access to high-quality cancer screening and the hope of early diagnosis. This collaborative momentum in May 2025 reinforces EUCanScreen’s broader mission to save lives through prevention and move closer to a future where cancer is caught and cured as early as possible.