Dear all, At the occasion of the symposium « Dépistage mammographique organisé : état des lieux et perspectives en Suisse » organized by the "Ecole Romande de Santé Publique", in collaboration with the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine of Lausanne and the Institute for Global Health of Geneva, Professor Harry J de Koning (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) will present a conference entitled "Modelling Cancer Screening Interventions", which will take place on Thursday 19 June 2014 at 10:00 in the salle Delachaux (Biopôle 2, first floor, route de la Corniche 10, 1010 Lausanne, M2 station: Vennes; note the unusual time 10:00). Abstract: Population-based cancer screening is a major effort to try and reduce mortality and morbidity of the disease. The European code against cancer at present stipulates screening for 3 cancer sites: cervical cancer age 30 years and over by a Pap smear, breast cancer age 50 and over by mammography and colorectal cancer screening from age 50 and over with faecal occult blood test. Many countries’ public health policies endorse these guidelines, but differences exist in interval, age range and tests applied. Randomised controlled trials or rather clear-cut geographical differences from the very past have provided evidence on the benefits of cancer screening, but these often give answers on one specific design. Modelling is often needed to estimate the long-term impact on benefits, harms, cost and savings, and to guide policies. At present, debate exists whether new treatment modalities may be so effective, that benefits seen in the population as a whole, may be contributed to treatment rather than screening (and early treatment). Sometimes, screening is considered expensive, given the annual number of screens needed. However, new screening techniques may lead to alterations and more effective screening programmes. It may also lead to new guidelines, e.g., regarding prostate and lung cancer screening, or screening in high risk groups. In this lecture, modelling of the Canadian breast cancer screening trial will be presented, to estimate (evidence on) effectiveness, and modelling lung cancer screening to guide policy. Hope to see you there! Jean-Luc Bulliard et Valentin Rousson ---------------------------------------------------- Unité de Statistique Institut Universitaire de Médecine Sociale et Préventive Centre Hospitalier Universitaire et Université de Lausanne Biopôle 2 Route de la Corniche 10 CH-1010 Lausanne Tél : ++41 (021) 314 73 28 Fax : ++41 (021) 314 73 73 Email: Valentin.Rousson@chuv.chmailto:Valentin.Rousson@chuv.ch