Overview
The Joint Research Centre develops cancer guidelines and quality assurance schemes through six initiatives on cancer screening and care. These initiatives cover breast, cervical, colorectal, gastric, lung and prostate cancer, which account for over 50% of the burden of cancer in the EU.
The aim of these initiatives is to help ensure that high-quality care is accessible across Europe, regardless of where a person lives, where they receive treatment, or their financial resources.
What the JRC is doing
Breast cancer
The European breast cancer guidelines and associated information for screening and diagnosis, developed under the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC), are used in over 10 countries in Europe and beyond.
The European Quality Assurance Scheme for Breast Cancer Services, developed under this initiative was launched in February 2025. The scheme defines a set of quality requirements for breast cancer care that cover screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
Breast cancer services, including screening units, hospitals, cancer centres and clinics, can refer to the scheme to implement quality requirements and indicators to monitor and improve the quality of their services.
Colorectal, lung and prostate cancer
Clinical guidelines and quality assurance schemes are currently being developed, or are about to begin, under the Commission screening and care initiatives.
Cervical and gastric cancer
The JRC collaborates with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the cervical and gastric cancer initiatives.
How we work
We collaborate closely with expert panels to ensure depth and relevance in our work. We follow an internationally recognised methodology for guideline and quality assurance development based on systematic and transparent assessments of the latest evidence available to inform the expert panel decisions and make the outputs clear.
Our approach brings together experts, citizens and stakeholders at every stage with open consultation, consensus building, standardisation and peer evaluation.
Impact and results
European quality assurance schemes and evidence-based clinical guidelines on cancer can contribute to improved long-term health outcomes and promote comparable recording across Europe.
Widespread adoption supports the provision of more comprehensive, homogeneous cancer care services, helping to reduce inequalities in accessing quality healthcare across Europe.
Policy background
The European Commission initiatives on cancer are actions under the EU cancer screening scheme, which supports Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The aim is to ensure that 90% of eligible EU citizens are offered screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. The project also facilitates the implementation of new screening programmes followed by quality ensured care for lung, prostate and gastric cancers.
The JRC works in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).