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The colorectal cancer screening programme was introduced gradually from 2014. Since 2019, all people aged 55 to 75 have been invited to participate once every two years. In 2021, more than 1.6 million people took part in the screening programme, and colorectal cancer was detected in 2,700 participants, with an early stage of colorectal cancer being detected in 17,000 participants. At this stage, the screening programme has been running for too short a time to be able to scientifically demonstrate that it leads to less mortality from colorectal cancer; however, there are clear indications in that direction. Under the current circumstances, the benefits (prevention of colorectal cancer and associated mortality) outweigh the risks of the screening programme (screening test that detects no abnormalities but is taxing and causes concern, and cases of cancer that are missed). The Council therefore recommends that no modifications be made to the regular programme at this time.The Council does, however, recommend conducting a regional pilot population screening programme with one-off screening of people around 50 years of age. This will allow a review of to what extent such a programme would provide health benefits and whether the benefits would outweigh the risks. Based on the results, a decision can be made as to whether the age limit of the programme should be lowered. One promising development that may improve the screening programme in the long term is customised screening. As such, the Council recommends that this be reviewed. In addition, the Council recommends continuing investment in increasing participation rates.

The colorectal cancer screening programme was introduced gradually from 2014. Since 2019, all people aged 55 to 75 have been invited to participate once every two years. In 2021, more than 1.6 million people took part in the screening programme, and colorectal cancer was detected in 2,700 participants, with an early stage of colorectal cancer being detected in 17,000 participants. At this stage, the screening programme has been running for too short a time to be able to scientifically demonstrate that it leads to less mortality from colorectal cancer; however, there are clear indications in that direction. Under the current circumstances, the benefits (prevention of colorectal cancer and associated mortality) outweigh the risks of the screening programme (screening test that detects no abnormalities but is taxing and causes concern, and cases of cancer that are missed). The Council therefore recommends that no modifications be made to the regular programme at this time. The Council does, however, recommend conducting a regional pilot population screening programme with one-off screening of people around 50 years of age. This will allow a review of to what extent such a programme would provide health benefits and whether the benefits would outweigh the risks. Based on the results, a decision can be made as to whether the age limit of the programme should be lowered. One promising development that may improve the screening programme in the long term is customised screening. As such, the Council recommends that this be reviewed. In addition, the Council recommends continuing investment in increasing participation rates.

Due to the prevalence of skin cancer, the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport requested that the Health Council of the Netherlands review whether introducing a screening programme for skin cancer would be expedient. A key requirement underpinning the introduction of a screening programme is that its usefulness has been established and that its benefits outweigh any disadvantages, which, the Council has determined, is not the case for skin cancer. There is no scientific evidence that a programme of this type would be beneficial. Any added value offered by a screening programme is expected to be low, given that many cases are already detected at an early stage and the mortality rate is low.Care for people with a suspicious lesion on their skin usually starts at the GP, who carries out a risk assessment and will either treat the lesion themselves or refer the patient to a dermatologist. People suspected to have a familial or hereditary predisposition to melanoma are offered a periodic skin examination and genetic testing. Survival rates for skin cancer are high with the current detection and treatment strategies for suspicious lesions.Excessive exposure to sunlight and sunburn in combination with a light skin tone are the principal risk factors for skin cancer. Behaviour can therefore significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer (e.g. not staying in the sun for long periods of time, covering the skin and using a high factor sun cream). The Steering Committee for Skin Cancer Care in the Netherlands (Stuurgroep Huidkankerzorg Nederland) and RIVM are working on more intensive information provision. The Health Council of the Netherlands emphasises the importance of behavioural change and information provision. In the future, apps for suspicious skin lesions may play a role in the detection of skin cancer, however, this requires more development and research.