LECTURE SERIES: Variability in Breast Cancer Screening Information Across Europe: A Reflection of Uncertainty?

After more than 40 years of implementation in middle- to high-income countries, the risk-benefit profile of breast cancer screening (BCS) remains a topic of debate within the scientific community. European guidelines recommend biennial BCS for women aged 50 to 69 while also emphasizing the importance of fully informing women about its advantages and risks. To assess the consistency of information provided, I reviewed BCS materials available on institutional websites across 30 European countries. The findings reveal significant variations: in some countries, women are not explicitly advised to undergo screening but are instead encouraged and aided to make an autonomous decision without a clear recommendation. This choice may stem from the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the benefits and harms of screening, leading some public health authorities to shift the decision-making burden onto patients rather than issuing definitive guidelines.