TOGAS

TOGAS - Towards Gastric Cancer Screening Implementation in the European Union

No effective screening method for preventing gastric cancer is available in Europe. Elimination of H. pylori bacteria is expected to cut mortality by 40%. Another approach is early detection and monitoring of precancerous lesions.
To reduce the burden of gastric cancer, TOGAS will develop novel approaches for screening and early detection of the disease. TOGAS has three specific objectives:

• assessment of the state of play and the needs of EU Member States and target populations as regards gastric cancer prevention, including information on ‘opportunistic’ screening initiatives organised in public and private settings;
• assessment of the suitability for use in the EU of various gastric cancer screening methods;
• to ensure the sustainability of the project results through an effective dissemination strategy and coordination of the TOGAS methodology with approaches used in the EU, including European guidelines and quality assurance schemes.

TOGAS will involve three pilot studies, each designed to address specific aspects of gastric cancer screening and early detection. Cost-effectiveness and medical ethics will be important areas of focus for the project.