10/06/2020
New publications on the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC) website
COVID-19 and breast cancer information corner
The European guidelines inform women, health professionals and policymakers about important questions related to population-based organised mammography screening and breast cancer diagnosis. Some recommendations may also apply in contexts where organised screening programmes are not in place.
The recommendations primarily address women at average risk of breast cancer without increased risk due to genetic predisposition (mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2), reproductive history or race and ethnicity. However, women with a family history may have higher than average risk and are included in the ECIBC recommendations. Some recommendations also focus on women with high breast density and suspicious lesions on screening.
A review of guidelines and other relevant information addressing the management of breast cancer patients to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their care, is available in a new section on the ECIBC website, the COVID-19 information corner.
COVID-19 information corner
European guidelines on breast cancer screening and diagnosis
The following set of documents is now accessible online: new recommendations on breast cancer diagnosis, addressing the use of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography and magnetic resonance imaging in surgical planning, four updated recommendations, and a new one on the use of digital breast tomosynthesis in women with high mammographic breast density.
The recommendations included in the guidelines are developed starting from relevant "healthcare questions" that below are grouped into main topics. Each topic includes one or more recommendations presented in a question and answer format.
They have also included new summary information for women of the already published recommendations, using clear language to empower women to take informed decisions.
European guidelines on breast cancer screening and diagnosis