Article type
Abstract
"Background
The European guidelines on breast cancer screening and diagnosis are part of the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC). They are intended to optimise patient care and reduce inequalities in accessing cancer care across Europe. The guidelines are developed by a working group (WG) of experts and present the latest evidence in the form of recommendations and good practice statements.
Objectives
The European breast cancer guidelines periodically go through an updating process to ensure that the guidelines continue to be based on the latest available scientific findings, thereby remaining a valid tool for healthcare providers, policymakers and citizens.
Methods
Following a structured process, the WG identified the healthcare questions and related topics to be addressed during the 2023-2024 update. The guidelines are developed following the ‘GRADE’ approach and include the use of ‘Evidence to Decision’ frameworks.
Results
The WG prioritised evaluating the impact of new evidence on existing recommendations about the use of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis to screen women at average risk and with dense breasts and about the use of Artificial Intelligence to read mammograms. These recommendations were updated in May 2023 and July 2023, respectively.
Furthermore, the WG deemed it important to provide further guidance on screening of women with dense breast, by adding to the guidelines background summaries on how to measure and classify breast density, a good practice statement on how to inform women of their mammographic breast density and new recommendations on tailored screening approaches.
Last, the WG required the development of overviews of systematic reviews that could provide updated evidence on equity, feasibility, and acceptability of breast cancer screening.
Conclusions
The regular update of the European breast cancer guidelines allows for a structured identification of priority and ensure that these guidelines will not expire or become outdated."
The European guidelines on breast cancer screening and diagnosis are part of the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC). They are intended to optimise patient care and reduce inequalities in accessing cancer care across Europe. The guidelines are developed by a working group (WG) of experts and present the latest evidence in the form of recommendations and good practice statements.
Objectives
The European breast cancer guidelines periodically go through an updating process to ensure that the guidelines continue to be based on the latest available scientific findings, thereby remaining a valid tool for healthcare providers, policymakers and citizens.
Methods
Following a structured process, the WG identified the healthcare questions and related topics to be addressed during the 2023-2024 update. The guidelines are developed following the ‘GRADE’ approach and include the use of ‘Evidence to Decision’ frameworks.
Results
The WG prioritised evaluating the impact of new evidence on existing recommendations about the use of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis to screen women at average risk and with dense breasts and about the use of Artificial Intelligence to read mammograms. These recommendations were updated in May 2023 and July 2023, respectively.
Furthermore, the WG deemed it important to provide further guidance on screening of women with dense breast, by adding to the guidelines background summaries on how to measure and classify breast density, a good practice statement on how to inform women of their mammographic breast density and new recommendations on tailored screening approaches.
Last, the WG required the development of overviews of systematic reviews that could provide updated evidence on equity, feasibility, and acceptability of breast cancer screening.
Conclusions
The regular update of the European breast cancer guidelines allows for a structured identification of priority and ensure that these guidelines will not expire or become outdated."