CanScreen5, a global repository for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening programs

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cancer screening programs are crucial for early detection and improved patient outcomes.
• Global disparities exist in the implementation and effectiveness of cancer screening initiatives.
• The CanScreen5 project addresses the need for standardized data collection and performance evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a global repository of cancer screening data (breast, cervical, colorectal).
• To assess the status and performance of cancer screening programs worldwide using harmonized criteria.
• To identify variations in program organization, coverage, and detection rates.

Main Methods:

• Data collection from national Ministries of Health.
• Quality validation of reported data.
• Publicly accessible web-based portal for data dissemination.
• Harmonized criteria and indicators for performance assessment.

Main Results:

• 84 countries reported data for breast (57), cervical (75), or colorectal (51) cancer screening programs by September 2022.
• Significant heterogeneity observed in program organization and performance metrics.
• Wide variability in screening coverage reported, e.g., breast cancer (1.7%–85.5%), cervical cancer (2.1%–86.3%), colorectal cancer (0.6%–64.5%).
• Inconsistent data for performance indicators across the screening continuum.

Conclusions:

• Substantial differences in cancer screening program organization and performance necessitate targeted improvements.
• Robust information systems and quality assurance are essential for effective cancer screening.
• Resource-limited settings require tailored, resource-stratified screening strategies.