At the Baltic Congress of Laboratory Medicine CDPC presented progress in the implementation of organized cervical and colorectal cancer screening in Latvia, in accordance with European Commission guidelines and recommendations from international experts. The presentation placed particular emphasis on the critical role of laboratory diagnostics in ensuring high-quality and effective screening programmes.
“Although cancer screening programmes have been operating in Latvia since 2009, organizational improvements are still required across the entire patient pathway — from population invitation and laboratory testing to result monitoring and, where necessary, timely follow-up diagnostics and treatment. Since 2023, CDPC has been responsible for the governance function of the national cancer screening programme, coordinating its development and quality improvement,” emphasized Annika Smilga-Veide, public health analyst at CDPC.
The congress also presented potential governance models for screening in Latvia, as well as European guideline requirements and international expert recommendations for the implementation of organized screening programmes. Attention was given to the need to establish a Cancer Screening Registry, which would enable end-to-end tracking of the patient's pathway and ensure quality control across all stages of screening.
It was also emphasized that the colorectal cancer screening programme needs gradual transition from an opportunistic (ad hoc) approach to a centralized invitation and reminder system, thereby increasing population participation and improving programme efficiency.
CDPC further highlighted the essential role of laboratories in the screening process — ensuring high-quality testing, timely interpretation and reporting of results, as well as effective patient navigation towards further diagnostics and treatment.
In addition, information was provided on the latest developments in screening algorithms, including potential alternative triage testing methods in cervical cancer screening, which are not yet part of the standard algorithm.