Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis: A synopsis of the European Breast Guidelines

Description: In this article we present the European Commission Initiative for Breast Cancer (ECIBC) Screening and Diagnosis guidelines, coordinated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, and developed by an international guideline development group. Methods: A guideline panel of 28 multidisciplinary members, including patients, develops questions and corresponding recommendations informed by systematic reviews of the evidence conducted between March 2016 and December 2018. We use Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks to structure the process and minimize the influence of competing interests by enhancing transparency. We focus our questions and recommendations, expressed as strong or conditional, on outcomes that matter to women and provide a rating of the certainty of evidence. Recommendations: This synopsis of the European Breast Guidelines provides recommendations about organized screening programs in women at average risk and 40 to 75 years of age. The recommendations address digital mammography screening and the addition of hand-held ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging compared with mammography screening alone. The recommendations also inform decision-making for women at average risk who are recalled for suspicious lesions, women with high breast density and discuss the frequency of screening. ; JRC.F.1 - Health in Society