Authors' recommendations: In this advisory report the Committee on Population Screening assessed a license application of the Academic Medical Centre Amsterdam. The application concerns scientific research on risk stratification within the national population screening programme for bowel cancer. The aim of the study is to explore the possibility of risk stratification on the basis of an increased familial risk within the existing population screening programme for bowel cancer. About 6,000 people who receive an invitation for colorectal cancer screening in the Amsterdam region in 2015 and 2016 will be invited. In a prior advisory report from the Health Council in 2009, the importance of further research on risk stratification within the population screening programme was already endorsed. The Committee notes that the project, described as a combination of scientific research and population screening, requires a license. The Committee concludes that the research project meets the legal requirements of scientific validity and that the benefits of the project outweigh the risks and burden for participants. The Committee has submitted its comments on the draft letters and brochure to the applicants. The drafts comply with the rules of medical practice. The Committee advises the Minister to grant the license.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.gr.nl/en/publications/preventie/population-screening-act-risk-stratification-based-on-familial-risk-of-bowel

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Netherlands

Organisation Name: Health Council of the Netherlands Gezondheidsraad

Contact Address: Postbus 16052, 2500 BB Den Haag, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 70 340 7520;Fax: +31 70 340 7523

Contact Name: info@gr.nl

Contact Email: info@gr.nl

Copyright: Health Council of the Netherlands