IARC hosts EU-GAINS kick-off meeting

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) hosted the kick-off meeting of the European guidelines and quality assurance on primary prevention of gastric cancer and third report on the status of implementation of the Council Recommendations on cancer screening (EU-GAINS) project.

EU-GAINS is a collaborative initiative comprising the European Commission Initiative on Gastric Cancer (EC-GaC) and the third European Union (EU) Cancer Screening Report, both led by researchers at IARC. The objectives are (i) to develop evidence-based recommendations and to carry out preparatory work for the European quality assurance scheme for gastric cancer prevention; and (ii) to develop the third EU Cancer Screening Report as a vital resource for understanding the status of screening programmes in EU Member States.

EC-GaC will deliver the first evidence-based European guidelines for population-based Helicobacter pylori screen-and-treat strategies for gastric cancer prevention. These guidelines are expected to help reduce the gastric cancer burden across Europe, particularly in regions or populations with elevated risk. In Europe, the burden is highest in eastern European countries, but high-risk populations exist in every region, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated prevention efforts.

The third EU Cancer Screening Report will provide up-to-date data on the burden of major cancer types, including breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and gastric cancers, across Europe. Collectively, these cancer types account for millions of disability-adjusted life years lost each year, with significant disparities in incidence and outcomes between regions.

Data developed during the EU-GAINS project will be made available through the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) for visualization and monitoring of the performance of programmes. The project supports the new EU approach on cancer screening, as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Read more about the European Commission Initiative on Gastric Cancer (EC-GaC) 

Visit the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) website

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