Cancer screening rates across Europe vary significantly, with no country fully meeting the European Union’s ideal standards, a new analysis has revealed. The EU has set a target for 90% of eligible individuals to be screened for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer by 2025, but whether people get tested largely depends on their country of residence.
According to the report from the European Cancer Organisation, the EU’s “Beating Cancer Plan” aims to increase survival rates by detecting cancers earlier through screening. However, the study found that despite the EU’s comprehensive guidelines, countries show substantial differences in how they implement screening policies.
Slovenia, Portugal, and Norway were found to be the most in line with EU guidelines, while Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece were ranked at the bottom in terms of screening practices. The European Cancer Organisation’s analysis took into account several factors, including screening rates, the time intervals recommended between screenings, the availability of national or regional coverage, and the type of tests used. This data resulted in an overall score for each country’s cancer screening policies.
Despite the EU’s goal, the study highlighted significant gaps in implementation. Three countries—Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Romania—lack comprehensive breast cancer screening programs, while six countries do not have adequate colorectal cancer screening, and eight do not provide sufficient cervical cancer screening. These gaps are concerning as breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers are among the most common cancers in Europe, with lung, colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers being the deadliest.
There are also notable disparities within countries. In Bulgaria, cancer screening access is highly unequal, with variations based on education, income, and urban-rural location. Conversely, the Czech Republic was found to have the most equitable distribution of screening services across these factors.
While screening is a key tool in early cancer detection, it is not the only method. In Denmark, which ranks highly on the EU’s screening index, just 7.5% of all cancer cases are detected through screening programs. A 2021 study published in Cancer Epidemiology found that most cancer cases in Denmark are identified through primary care, medical specialists, or during unplanned hospitalizations, emphasizing the importance of broader healthcare access.
As Europe strives to meet the 2025 target, the challenge remains to ensure that all citizens have equal access to effective cancer screening programs, regardless of where they live.
