European Commission to establish breast cancer care quality requirements

The European commission has said that its joint research centre is developing a voluntary assurance scheme for breast cancer services to establish a minimum set of quality requirements for breast cancer health-care across the EU.

The decision comes as a result of a written declaration promoted by MEP Miriam Dalli and other colleagues. Dalli also

“The European commission stated that it will work on a new edition of the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis,” a statement by the MEP reads. These guidelines should support member states in the implementation of nationwide mammography screening.

The commission said that it is developing a platform of guidelines to further emphasise treatment, rehabilitation and follow-ups, including psychological support and palliative care.

"The mere fact that the European Commission is taking this subject more seriously is already a positive step. Politicians, together with citizens, should work together and put pressure so that the European Guidelines will actually be implemented and followed in all member states, including Malta," Dalli said, insisting that it is up to the Commission to make the required recommendations.

“It is then up to the member states to follow these recommendations and implement national screening and specialised treatments specifically for breast cancer.”

"I believe that this has to be undertaken as quickly as possible and I agree that the end of December 2016 deadline should be respected as requested by the European Parliament," she added.

In 2015, breast cancer resulted in 91,000 deaths across the EU, and during the same year, breast cancer was diagnosed in 367,090 women.