[The state of the organized screening in Hungary in 2006]

Hungary carries a heavy burden of cancer. At present, the organized screening of symptomless people seems to be the most promising strategy. According to the state-of-the art, those are the mammography-based breast screening, the cytology screening of cervix uteri, and the colorectal screening using immunochemical detection of the fecal occult blood satisfy the criteria of organized screening. The screening for cancers of the oral cavity, and the methods suitable for early detection of prostate cancer are not based on epidemiological evidence, therefore can only be applied opportunistically, as part of the medical practice. For the time belong, there are no suitable methods for detection of early lung cancer. The organized screening which applies personal call-and-recall has been incorporated in the National Public Health Programme. The concepts underlying the organized screening are fully in accordance with the recommendations by the European Union. The Chief Medical Officers' Office (OTH) is being charged with the organization, coordination and evaluation of organized screening programmes for the above screening modalities. In the past few years, an appropriate system for administration and information (including a country-wide screening registry) has been established, in addition to a regional coordination system based on the institutes of National Public Health and Medical Officers' Service (ANTSZ) and a nation-wide network of mammography and cytological laboratories, capable of meeting the requirements. This publication is to summarize the problems yet to be solved and the results expected from the organized screening programmes.