Quality assurance in breast screening in Europe.
An extensive pathology External Quality Assurance has been set up in Europe based on the experience of the UK programme. There are approximately 300 participating pathologists in France alone. With the end of the Third Action Plan (1996-2000) it is likely that the Europe Against Cancer programme will cease. However, screening will remain one of the four major public health activities funded by the European Commission and the screening network which has resided under the auspices of DGV (Industrial Relations and Social Affairs) is likely to be transferred to DGXXIV (Consumer Protection and Public Health). This would seem to be ideal the site for the activities necessary for high quality screening. It is anticipated that the drive for continued quality assurance, expansion of organised screening and the spread of skills from high quality screening programmes into symptomatic sector activity will continue for the foreseeable future.
Perry
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Quality Assurance Reference Center, North Thames Breast Programme, St Bartholomew' Hospital, London, UK.