Search
Search

Learning From Progress Addressing Cancer in Europe (OBS-PACE)

With Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), the European Commission follows a new approach to cancer prevention, treatment and care. The action ‘OBS-Learning From Progress In Addressing Cancer In Europe’ (OBS-PACE) contributes to this by improving the understanding of the national cancer control situation and policy actions in EU Member States.

Submit a new Case Study

Case Studies

OBS-PACE is collecting case studies of innovative actions in cancer research, care, and policy across the cancer care pathway. The case studies mirror the implementation of the EBCP at the national and regional level and can inform new actions to better tackle cancer across Europe. Each case study describes the objective of the new action, its implementation, including enablers and barriers, and its outcomes at the health system level.

 

10 February 2025 | Case Study

Use of National Cancer Registry data to inform cancer screening practice in Flanders, Belgium

  • Planning
  • Regional
  • Belgium

Summary


Development at the regional level of a cancer screening programme tailored to population-based data to enable both increased efficiency in screening test invitations and better-informed health practitioners on their patients’ needs.

Read more


Population health management data in cancer screening is available in Belgium. It is, however, not easily accessible to healthcare professionals due to high standards in patients’ data security. Hence, while existing, data does not inform the operational implementation of screening programmes.

Since 2013, the Centre for Cancer Detection (Centrum voor Kankeropsporing – CvKO) in the Flanders region has been leading a data-driven screening programme for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers (Vlaanderen, 2025a; Vlaanderen, 2025b; Vlaanderen, 2025c). With support from the regional government, CvKO partners with the Belgian Cancer Registry to access cancer data such as screening and consultation dates, patients’ registered GP, or information about follow-up examinations after a positive cancer screening. Combining this data with CvKO’s information on screening programmes, CvKO is sending targeted invitations for cancer screening to patients for whom it is indicated only (CvKO, 2023a). 

CvKO is also in contact with all the general practitioners (GPs) in Flanders and is sending its analysis results to each GP, therefore providing them with key information on their patient population and enabling them to have individual actions where necessary, while maintaining data and patient protection. Similarly, CvKO is also providing anonymized cancer screening data to all local stakeholders (for example, municipalities, local prevention organizations, local press) in Flanders (CvKO, 2025).

While it initially started with breast cancer screening only, the programme was extended to cervical and colorectal cancer. CvKO is now reaching 100% of the GP practices in Flanders and is holding an annual press conference to inform policymakers on the cancer screening situation in the region (CvKO, 2023b). This initiative made it possible to avoid unnecessary invitations to screening tests, to enhance patients’ compliance with screening programmes and follow-up examinations, and to inform different levels of the health system from individual health practitioners to regional screening programmes. In the future, anonymized data could also inform research at a larger scale (for example, national or European).

Enablers: Enablers for the implementation of this innovative initiative are the existence of clear and immediate incentives for all partners to be involved in the programme (Governance, Resources) and the availability of detailed data on the population’s cancer screening (Information).

Barriers: These include the challenges linked to data protection, which requires complex and time-consuming procedures to access data (Governance), the required IT adjustment (Information), and the crucial need for adequate communication to all involved, including citizens (Governance).

Overall, efficiency, quality of care, access to care, and people-centredness are all considered to be positively impacted by the implemented initiative.

Lessons learned: Collaboration is key to the success of such an initiative. This initiative would have not been possible without the involvement of multiple institutions. Furthermore, the data used is highly sensitive and sufficient time and resources should be set to respect and resolve any potential privacy issues. 

For more information

CvKO https://www.cvko.vlaanderen

Belgian Cancer Registry https://kankerregister.org/en

Contact

For further details on this case study, please reach out to obs-pace@obs.who.int.

EBCP dimensions
Authors
References

CvKO (2025). Bevolkings Onderzoek Incijfers. Bevolkings Onderzoek. Available at: https://bevolkingsonderzoek.incijfers.be/jive?cat_open_code=bk_extern (accessed: 27/01/2025).

CvKO (2023a). Jaarverslag. Centrum voor Kankeropsporing. Available at: https://www.cvko.vlaanderen/wp-content/uploads/CVK24-010_Jaarverslag_CvKO_DEF.pdf (accessed: 27/01/2025).

CvKO (2023b). Infosheet Belangrijkste Indicatoren Bevolkingsonderzoek Dikkedarmkanker – Screeningsjaar 2023. Available at: https://dikkedarmkanker.bevolkingsonderzoek.be/sites/default/files/2024-12/CVK24-027%20Verkorte%20Jaarfiche_DDK-BK-BHK%282024%29-DEF%28Hires%29.pdf (accessed: 07/02/2025).

Vlaanderen (2025a). Bevolkings Onderzoek Borstkanker. Bevolkings Onderzoek. Available at: https://borstkanker.bevolkingsonderzoek.be/en (accessed: 27/01/2025). 

Vlaanderen (2025b). Bevolkings Onderzoek Baarmoederhalskanker. Bevolkings Onderzoek. Available at: https://baarmoederhalskanker.bevolkingsonderzoek.be/en (accessed: 27/01/2025). 

Vlaanderen (2025c). Bevolkings Onderzoek Dikkedarmkanker. Bevolkings Onderzoek. Available at: https://dikkedarmkanker.bevolkingsonderzoek.be/en (accessed: 27/01/2025). 

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign Up