The workshop provided a structured forum where responsible national authorities, national experts, stakeholders and international experts discussed WHO/IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) recommend¬ations, the national situation, and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)/PACT (Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy) reports. They also discussed how cervical and breast cancer screening programs could be implemented in Albania in the context of a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and control.
Quality-assured implementation of population-based breast and cervical cancer screening is a long-term effort that has substantial potential to lower the burden of disease in the population, not just by detecting cancer early in the screening programs, but by simultaneously improving the quality, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of symptomatic care. Providing additional, sustainable resources on an appropriate scale is crucial to improving control of breast and cervical cancer in Albania. The additional resources needed are not just financial. There is also a need to attract qualified professionals to dedicate efforts to this area. Thus, increasing awareness of breast and cervical cancer without appropriately building capacity to deliver high quality symptomatic care may not improve the situation of breast and cervical cancer care. To maintain an appropriate balance between benefit and harm, the process of transition to widespread earlier detection of disease must be managed. In order to effectively reduce the burden of breast and cervical cancer in Albania, it is important to take a comprehensive approach by improving symptomatic services while preparing to implement state of the art breast and cervical cancer screening programs, taking into account recognized international standards, including the European Guidelines. A short term action plan, which details the appropriate steps which must be taken to improve the situation of breast and cervical cancer care in Albania, was developed during the final day of the workshop. The success of the improvements proposed relies upon significant political commitment and the sustainability of the appropriate resources over a period of time.