Abstract

The Policy Framework for Population Screening for Cancer (BBK) gives an overview of the legal and policy frameworks for the three population screening programmes for cancer in the Netherlands: those for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. It also describes the cooperation and interrelationships between the parties involved in the preparations for, decision-making on and implementation of these population screening programmes. The Policy Framework was drawn up by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and subsequently adopted by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. RIVM regularly reviews the document and adjusts it to the current situation when necessary.

As the body managing population screening, RIVM sees to it that the population screening programmes are of a high quality and readily accessible and affordable to participants. This ensures an optimal ‘offering’ for participants in the population screening programmes. The policy framework is a management tool. It also serves as the basis for the implementation frameworks, which specify how and by whom the respective population screening programmes are implemented.

The population screening programmes consist of a series of successive actions implemented and coordinated by various parties. These are the invitation to the screening, the screening itself, the analysis of the results, the communication, and any subsequent referral. These actions need to be properly coordinated and efficiently structured. This forms the basis for high-quality population screening.