Towards better cancer screening in Eastern Europe

Topicus is participating in the EU-TOPIA-EAST program (https://eu-topia-east.org). The overall objective of EU-TOPIA-EAST is to implement effective screening programs for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer in three sample countries in Eastern Europe (Georgia, Romania and Montenegro). In addition, to build capacity for implementation of screening in other Eastern European and Mediterranean countries in order to reduce cancer in these countries and achieve equality of care with regard to cancer.

155.000 deaths

Colorectal, breast and cervical cancer cause 155 000 deaths each year in middle-income countries in Eastern Europe, while there is good evidence that much of it is preventable by organized screening. Although many countries in Eastern Europe have implemented some form of cancer screening, this screening is often not organized. This leads to a lack of data and quality assurance systems. Coverage is also often low and minority groups are not reached.

Population screening for colon, breast and cervical cancer

Topicus has supported population screening for colorectal, breast and cervical cancer in the Netherlands for many years. As a Dutch company in screening software, our knowledge and IT components enable us to make a major contribution to the EU-TOPIA-EAST project to improve cancer screening in other countries.

Within the project, we involve the various countries in the way screening is organized in the Netherlands and carry out an assessment per country. We use an approach that includes organizational as well as application and infrastructure aspects. With our observations and advice, countries are able to improve their processes and IT systems.

Interim results IT systems

We recently visited Slovenia and Montenegro to present our interim results of the analysis of IT systems in Romania, Georgia and Montenegro. During those visits, we learned a lot from the participating countries about their approaches and the way culture influences their choices in organizing screening, for example in how to reach people.

Promote cancer screening

In the Netherlands, we have a population register that we can and may use as a basis for inviting participants. For various reasons, these registries are often not available in Eastern European countries. Instead of contacting participants, those countries should promote cancer screening so that participants will report themselves. An important role in this lies with the local GP, where in the Netherlands the process is centrally driven and coordinated and also highly automated.

Yet screening processes in other countries also have many similarities with our Dutch approach. Regardless of the way to reach people, the process always consists of selecting and inviting participants, screening (on site or at home) and possible referral.

Great respect for the determination and commitment of all those within Eastern Europe involved in their countries' cancer screening programs. They often face limited resources, but little by little progress is being made. We are happy to contribute to that.

As a Dutch software company with proven software in supporting screening processes, we can make a major contribution to improving cancer screening in Eastern Europe and other countries. With the goal of reducing inequality in the burden of cancer, fewer cancer deaths, fewer over-diagnosed cases, improved quality of life and more cost-effective cancer screening programs.

That's how we make an impact, but most importantly, save lives.

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Please contact Harald Dannenberg

Harald Dannenberg

mailharald.dannenberg@topicus.nl phone+31(0)570 662 662