The document discusses the inclusion of prostate cancer in the new joint action (JA) Cancon, which addresses screening programs and after-care pathways. It highlights the existence of guidelines for various cancers, with a focus on the need for evidence-based decision-making regarding prostate cancer screening policies. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of new trials and the development of innovative strategies for cancer detection and management.

1. Will the new Joint Action include Prostate Cancer?
CANCON’s vision
Tit Albreht
National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia

2. In the Joint Action (JA) CanCon prostate cancer was a part of the
discussions concerning (potential) screening programmes and as an index
cancer for the description of after-care pathways.
Indirectly, it was included in the discussions on the Comprehensive Cancer
Control Networks (CCCNs) and on Survivorship.

3. Existence of guidelines for certain cancers and for their after-care
Cancer location Number of guidelines Countries with
guidelines
Specific to
after-care*
No. of guidelines
with at least one
scientific reference
to after-care**
Guide for GPs
Breast 24 19 7 17 4
Colorectal
ca.
21 16 6 12 1
Lung 17 11 3 9 1
Melanoma 15 13 1 12 1
Prostate 18 14 4 14 1
Source: European Guide for Quality Improvement in Comprehensive Cancer Control.
www.cancercontrol.eu

4. Recurrence detection [18]
• Physical diagnostic tests [14]
• Diagnostic imaging [8]
• Awareness [13]
Laboratory diagnostic tests [18]
• Risk of recurrence/new cancer [5]
• Organisation of care [7]
• Signs of recurrence [10]
• Pathological diagnostic tests [5]
Long-term effects [11]
• Potential complications [11]
• Treatment of complications [7]
• Psychological support [4]
Recurrence prevention [2]
• Physical activity [2]
• Nutrition [2]
• Weight management [1]
• Alcohol consumption [1]
• Smoking cessation [2]
Existence of guidelines for prostate cancer and for its after-care

5. Existence of guidelines for prostate cancer and for its after-care

6. New screening programmes require step-wise decision-making which
includes the establishment of evidence of effectiveness, benefits that
outweigh the harms and cost-effectiveness.
Once evidence exists to support these criteria, implementation
research in each country is needed to assess the feasibility of fulfilling
the national requirements in practice.
In light of currently available evidence, some prostate cancer
screening policies may be cost-effective but questions remain on the
optimal benefit-harm balance. Forthcoming results of European trials
are expected to inform policy-making on lung cancer screening in
Europe. New trials need to be financed to investigate optimal
strategies for gastric cancer screening.
Key message on screening recommendations and potential
prostate cancer screening (Message 4)

7. Structure of the new Joint Action
WP 1 – Coordination, WP 2 – Dissemination, WP 3 – Evaluation
WP 4 - Roadmap on Implementation and Sustainability of Cancer
Control Actions
WP 5 – Cancer prevention
WP 6 – Genomics in Cancer Control and Care
WP 7 – Cancer Information and Registries
WP 8 – Challenges in Cancer Care
WP 9 – Innovative Therapies in Cancer
WP 10 – Governance of Integrated and Comprehensive Cancer Care
New Joint Action iPAAC (Innovative Partnership
for Action Against Cancer)

8. New Joint Action iPAAC (Innovative Partnership
for Action Against Cancer)
Where would prostate cancer be present?
WP4 – Roadmap on the Implementation and Sustainability for
the Cancer Control Actions
WP5 – Prevention
Screening – innovation and proposal of more effective solutions
of population-based screening programmes and risk
stratification
Early detection strategies and management

9. The new JA iPAAC will further develop early detection and
screening strategies for the cancers that have so far not been
supported by guidelines.
WPs on challenges in cancer care and innovative therapies will
touch upon all cancers.
New Joint Action iPAAC (Innovative Partnership
for Action Against Cancer)