#GetScreenedEU: European Commission And Malta Launch Campaign To Boost Cancer Check-Ups
The European Commission and the Maltese Health Authorities are joining forces this summer to make Maltese people aware of the need for and benefits of cancer screening.
Over the next few weeks The #GetScreenedEU campaign will call on Maltese to take up the invitation to a simple cancer screening test that could save their life.
“Through Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the European Commission aims to turn the tide against cancer and support cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care as well as the quality of life after diagnosis. This includes helping EU countries ensure everyone has equal access to cancer screening,” Lorenzo Vella, Head of the European Commission’s Representation in Malta said.
“Cancer is easier to treat if detected early. Malta offers screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. They are simple tests, which could save your life. So when the invitation comes from the National Screening Centre, take a moment for yourself and your health and get screened!” Maltese Health Authorities said.
An estimated 2,400 new diagnoses of cancer were expected in Malta in 2020 – an increase of 30% since 2017.
Cancer mortality rates decreased significantly between 2011 and 2019, including for lung and colorectal cancers, which cause the most cancer-related deaths per capita in Malta.
The EU aims for 90% of people who qualify to be offered breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening by 2025.
Cancer Screening programmes are organised and carried out by each European country or region.
The #GetScreenedEU campaign encourages people take some time to look after their health and have a preventative cancer check. In particular, the campaign aims to reach out to people with busy lives or other challenges who are less likely to attend a cancer screening.
How to get involved
- Check the #GetScreenedEU (Cancer Screening Campaign (europa.eu) to see what the EU is doing to turn the tide against cancer and find out about cancer screening in your country.
- Spread the word with the campaign hashtags #GetScreenedEU and #EUCancerPlan and our toolkit
- Watch out for the campaign clip on TV, social media and YouTube
- Keep an eye out for our campaign posters at key locations in the coming weeks
- Listen out for our radio ad on S Smash Radio 104.6FM, Radju Malta and Calypso Malta
- Follow social media influencers on a cancer screening journey
- Stay connected; Follow the campaign at European level on Twitter and in Malta on Twitter, Facebook , YouTube and Instagram.
KEY FACTS: EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES
- In 2020, an estimated 2.7 million people living in the EU were diagnosed with cancer and more than 1.3 million people lost their lives to this disease.
- Cancer is easier to treat if detected early. Screening tests are usually simple, routine health checks that take only a few minutes.
- Screening can lead to early diagnosis, which increases options for treatment, saves lives and improves quality of life.
Breast Cancer screening
- Breast cancer accounted for 13.3% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in the EU 2020. It is the first cause of cancer deaths among women.
- In Malta, in 2019, 61 % of women aged 50-69 years reported having had a mammogram within the last two years which is below the EU average of 66%.
- Breast cancer, when detected in its early stages, has a survival rate of over 90% (according to the WHO)
How to get screened In Malta
- Women who have no symptoms of breast cancer, are within a certain age cohort and reside in Malta and Gozo will be invited for a regular screening mammogram.
- For more details on breast cancer screening visit the website of the National Screening Centre.
Colorectal cancer screening
- Colorectal cancer accounted for 12.7% of all new cancer diagnoses across the EU. In 2019, 30.6% of people aged 50-74 years reported receiving colorectal cancer screening within the past two years, which is almost 3 percentage points below the EU average of 33.3%.
How to get screened In Malta
- Colorectal Cancer Screening is currently offered to all individuals who are between 57 to 74 years of age. Persons in this age group are regularly invited to do a home-testing kit FIT.
- For more details on colorectal cancer screening visit the website of the National Screening Centre.
Cervical cancer screening
- Malta has lowest incidence rate of all EU countries in cervical cancer.
- Malta offers cervical cancer screening to women aged 25-43 years every 3 years, but participation in cervical cancer screening is below the EU average at 53%.
How to get screened in Malta
- The National Screening Centre invites women born from 1980 onwards. They receive the first invitation at the age of 25 years. After this, they receive invitations every three years.
- For more details on cervical cancer screening visit the website of the National Screening Centre.
EU action on cancer
- Through Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Europe Union aims to turn the tide against cancer with actions to support prevention, early detection, treatment and care as well as the quality of life after diagnosis.
- This includes helping EU countries ensure everyone has equal access to cancer screening. The new EU Cancer Screening Scheme sets the target for 90% of those who qualify to be offered breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening by 2025.
- The EU has recently updated its recommendations and guidelines on cancer screening to increase the number of targeted, routine screenings, with a view to reaching more people and covering more cancers. The EU is investing €4 billion for actions addressing cancer under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
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