National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
In 2026, the Amsterdam UMC, commissioned by the RIVM, conducted an evaluation of the Dutch colorectal cancer screening program. This evaluation examined possible optimizations of the program. Various strategies were modelled, including adjustments to the current screening program. These strategies included, for example, changes to the start and/or stop age, the FIT test threshold, and the interval between screening rounds. This report provides policymakers an overview of options to optimize the colorectal cancer screening program.
The STARS study, which will start in 2026, will investigate the optimal start and stop age for the Dutch colorectal cancer screening program.
On May 25, 2011, the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) decided to implement a national population screening programme for colorectal cancer (CRC screening) . This decision was based on a recommendation given by the Health Council of the Netherlands (GR) and on data from a feasibility study carried out by the Centre for Population Screening (CvB) at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).