Prostate cancer screening in Europe: PRAISE-U leading the way forward
At the recent EAU National Societies Meeting in Noordwijk, the Netherlands on the 6th of June. EAU Policy Office Chair Prof. Hein Van Poppel (BE) shared a crucial update on the progress of prostate cancer (PCa) screening across Europe. Representing the EU-funded PRAISE-U initiative, he presented a clear message: Europe is at a turning point in how it approaches early detection of prostate cancer.
For years, prostate cancer was not included in the EU Council’s official screening recommendations, however this is now changing. The Council is currently exploring the inclusion of PCa screening in its revised guidelines, supported by the EU4Health call for proposals focused on innovative approaches to early detection.
Prof. Van Poppel outlined the current state of play of the PRAISE-U project, highlighting significant barriers across European countries. These include lack of political support, limited operational resources, poor public awareness, and weak follow-up systems. Countries like Poland, Romania, and Estonia face challenges with implementation and adherence to screening protocols. Psychological impacts and questions around cost-effectiveness also remain under-addressed.
Pilot programmes
To tackle these issues, Praise-U is rolling out five pilot programmes in 2024 in Ireland, two regions in Spain, Poland, and Lithuania. These pilots test new models of screening tailored to local healthcare settings. They work in close collaboration with ongoing national programs in Sweden, Czechia, and Estonia, with all data feeding into the UroEvidence Hub, a central platform for sharing insights and best practices.
Prof Van Poppel stressed that this approach is grounded in patient-centred, multidisciplinary care, with an emphasis on equitable access to novel technology, personalised medicine, and the routine use of health technology assessments (HTA) to ensure cost-effective decisions. The programme also champions awareness campaigns and the development of survivorship care plans, aiming to support men through every stage of the screening and treatment journey.
A full evaluation of these pilots will be delivered to the European Commission by the end of 2026, helping guide future EU recommendations and national strategies.
Praise-U is proud to be at the forefront of this shift—working to ensure that prostate cancer screening in Europe is evidence-based, accessible, and truly responsive to the needs of men across the continent. The National Societies Meeting was the perfect opportunity to deliver the core updates and mission of PRAISE-U to an international audience.
- To learn more about the PRAISE-U project visit the website or get in touch with the team.