Age Groups Extended for Organised Screening Programmes for Breast, Colorectal Cancer

On Monday 1 July 2024, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security announced an extension of the age groups for organised screening programmes for breast and colorectal cancer.

As noted by the ministry, this decision aims to strengthen prevention and improve the management of these pathologies.

Organised screenings will now be accessible from the age of 45. This measure is expected to help detect possible anomalies earlier and act preventively to limit the risk of complications. Furthermore, women will benefit from breast cancer screenings until the age of 74.

Up until now, the breast cancer screening programme was intended for women aged 50 to 70, while the colorectal cancer screening programme was reserved for men and women aged 55 to 74.

The decision to expand access to organised screenings for breast and colorectal cancer follows a recommendation from the Council of the European Union and an approval from the Scientific Council for Health in Luxembourg. The ministry added that this strategic change is supported by medical data and scientific studies demonstrating the effectiveness of early detection.

It also noted that early detection of colorectal or breast cancer has demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of mortality. Earlier screening not only makes it possible to detect cancers more quickly and prescribe lighter treatments, but it also offers affected patients a better response to whatever these treatments may be. To deliver the benefits of this early detection even at an older age, the upper age limit for breast cancer screening is being extended from 70 to 74 years. This extension will also make it possible to identify cases in this age group at an early stage, and thus increase the chances of recovery.

“By expanding access to breast and colorectal cancer screening, we are resolutely committed to systematic early detection which significantly improves the chances of cure,” stated Martine Deprez, Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security.

In practice

From 1 July, the Health Directorate is sending out new invitations for screenings, including patients listed in the new age groups. Each resident in Luxembourg affiliated to the CNS, aged 45 to 74, will receive: invitations to participate in breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings for women; an invitation to participate in a colorectal cancer screening for men.

In order to facilitate coordination with the various partners involved in these programmes (laboratories, hospitals, doctors, etc.), these invitations will be staggered according to the year and month of the beneficiary's birthday in 2024 and 2025.

Insured persons who are non-residents of Luxembourg and affiliated with the CNS, and who are in the targeted age range, are also invited to participate in this programme by contacting the coordination centre for cancer screening programmes by tel.: 247-75550 in order to to receive an invitation.