2015 ECIBC Plenary: "Improving breast cancer screening, diagnosis and care in Europe"

Introduction
The European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC) is being built upon the principles of sustainability, continuity and the transparent inclusion of experts and stakeholders. The ECIBC is taken forward by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) based on an agreement with the Commission’s Directorate-General Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).

Its aim is to ensure and harmonise quality of breast cancer services across European countries.

DG SANTE has the policy leadership as regards the implementation of EU health policy on cancer. The Commission expert group on Cancer Control, which is a forum for Member States and stakeholders to provide input into cancer policy development at EU level, will regularly review the development of the ECIBC in order to guarantee its compatibility and coordination within the overall EU policy on cancer.

JRC has the scientific and technical responsibility for the ECIBC and coordinates its implementation, ensuring synchronisation of all ECIBC objectives and the delivery of quality outputs in a timely way. Owing to the inter-dependence of the different working groups within the ECIBC, close coordination and collaboration is essential to ensure the success of the initiative. JRC also ensures appropriate linkages with other Commission services and EU projects in areas relevant to the project (for example, with the EU Joint Action on Cancer Control–CANCON).

The purpose of the plenary is to update Member States and stakeholders on the progress that the ECIBC is making. This includes reporting on the current status of the development process of the European Guidelines for Screening and Diagnosis in Breast Cancer and the European Quality Assurance Scheme for Breast Cancer Services, as well as reporting on related projects and research activities. Furthermore, the ECIBC Plenary sets out to provide a platform for the discussion and knowledge exchange on current priority issues in breast cancer service provision in general throughout European countries, as well as to address related (healthcare) policies.