Multidisciplinary, evidence-based guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer
screening and diagnosis have been developed by experts in a project coordinated by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The full guideline document covers
the entire process of population-based screening. It consists of 10 chapters and over
250 recommendations, graded according to the strength of the recommendation and the
supporting evidence. The 450-page guidelines and the extensive evidence base have
been published by the European Commission. The chapter on communication includes 35
graded recommendations. The content of the chapter is presented here to promote international
discussion and collaboration by making the principles and standards recommended in
the new EU Guidelines known to a wider professional and scientific community. Following
these recommendations has the potential to enhance the control of colorectal cancer
through improvement in the quality and effectiveness of screening programmes and services.
Key words
mass screening - colorectal neoplasms - communication - information strategies - population-based
programmes - multidisciplinary evidence-based guidelines