Cancer

In March-April 2025, Health Technology Wales (HTW) accomplished one full appraisal of permanent implant brachytherapy devices for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Five Med Tech-related Topic Exploration Reports were published (on superior rectal artery embolization, glucose monitoring systems in neonates, gender-affirming surgery, telemetric intracranial pressure monitoring, tumor-profiling tests to guide bisphosphonate treatment in cancer).

In April 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released five Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the evaluation of prognostic models of metastasis in colorectal cancer, assessment of e-Health platform for low back pain and the results of the “CONtact TrAcing in Care homes using digital Technology” trial. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS, and informs NICE guidance.

In March 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released four Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned the results of the studies provided within the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs NICE guidance.

In March 2025, the Decision Forum for the "New Methods" framework made a favorable coverage decision for robotic-assisted prostatectomy, hysterectomy, and rectal resection in cancer indications.

In February 2025, the Ministry of Health and Care Services published a National Cancer Strategy for 2025-2030. The strategy outlines five key target areas with corresponding goals and actions. The target areas comprise pioneering cancer prevention and early detection, improving patient outcomes, enhancing user-oriented cancer care, increasing survival rates and longevity, and ensuring the best possible quality of life. The actions include the expansion of national screening initiatives, the accreditation of Comprehensive Cancer Centers, digital home monitoring, precision diagnostics, and the establishment of a national healthcare innovation hub.

In February 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new Interventional Procedures Guidance on intravascular lithotripsy during percutaneous coronary intervention. Furthermore, one clinical guideline was updated.

In February 2025, the MTP Council announced national evaluations of two technologies within the Orderly introduction framework in Sweden. The Council commissioned the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) to perform a health economic evaluation of rectal spacers (SpaceOAR Hydrogel and Barrigel) used during radiotherapy in prostate cancer (re-evaluation) and AI-based solution (Stratipath Breast) for breast cancer risk assessment.

In January 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England released two Med Tech-related assessments in its HTA Journal, which concerned a clinical decision support tool for lower urinary tract symptom in men and multi-cancer early detection tests for general population screening. HTA Journal publishes research reports on the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage, and provide care in the NHS and informs NICE guidance.

In February 2025, the Board of Danish Regions meeting was held. The key themes discussed concerned prioritizing public wellbeing and environmental sustainability, expanding cancer treatment capacity and funding, and the status of the Common Regional Procurement Strategy 2020-2025 (including “green” procurement).

In December 2024, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV) announced changes in the cervical cancer screening program starting from January 1, 2025. The key change is that in people aged 30 to 64 years, an HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test will be the primary for cervical cancer screening instead of a cytological examination. For this age group, HPV tests will be reimbursed every five years.

On December 4, 2024, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) launched a consultation on whether to offer human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling option to under-screened people in the cervical cancer screening program alongside traditional clinician-collected sampling by a nurse or doctor. The deadline for comments submission is February 26, 2025.

On October 31, 2024, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) released the systematic version of the procedure code (CHOP) nomenclature for 2025. The nomenclature is now available in German, Italian, and French languages and will come into force on January 1, 2025. Multiple new procedure codes were introduced in various fields, including endoscopy, extracorporeal treatments, in-vitro diagnostics, interventional radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and radiotherapy.