Improving Cancer Screening and Care in Latvia and Luxembourg

ongoing

Cancer represents a major morbidity and mortality burden for Latvia and Luxembourg, and their cancer screening programmes are not optimally aligned with the EU Council Recommendations on Cancer Screening. The overall objective of the action is to support both countries in improving cancer screening and subsequent care, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and thereby improve health outcomes. The project will focus on enabling accessible, affordable and resilient public healthcare. The project aim is to support design, development and the implementation of reform policies and the definition and implementation of processes and methodologies. In Latvia, cost-effectiveness of both screening programmes and treatment options, as well as their budget impact, is of particular concern. Luxembourg is aspiring to commence a new lung cancer screening programme. Both countries require technical support to make commence these changes and align with international good practice. The expected result of the requested support in Latvia is that the local authorities are able to strengthen the governance of population-based cancer screening programmes, as well as to conduct cost-effectiveness modelling of cancer screening and cancer treatment to inform policy decisions. In the long run, this will contribute to the overall resilience of the Latvian healthcare system. The expected result of the requested support in Luxembourg is that the local authorities are able to implement a lung cancer screening programme, as well as to comprehensively assess existing population-based cancer screening programmes, including quality assurance and economic analysis. This will form the basis to revise population-based programmes for these diseases in line with the Council Recommendations on Cancer Screening. In the long run, this will contribute to the overall resilience of the Luxembourgish healthcare system.