Swedish age limit for colorectal cancer screening remains – despite changed EU recommendations
Stockholm – The EU Commission recommends that screening for bowel cancer should start at the age of 50. However, the authority Socialstyrelsen in Sweden wants to maintain the age limit of 60 years that currently applies for screening tests every other year.
The proposal to keep the screening age is criticized by medical professionals. Marie-Louise Lydrup, chair of the national care program group for colorectal cancer, tells Läkartidningen that Socialstyrelsen based its decision on the same studies that were used when the previous recommendations were made in 2014.
“It is very remarkable that the evidence situation is interpreted so differently in Sweden compared to the rest of Europe,” she says.
Socialstyrelsen bases its decision on the belief that mortality will not decrease by lowering the screening age.
The proposal is currently out for consultation.
(September 20)
