190 Chapter 7 it is also known that this concept is not always ideal, nor is it feasible for everyone.52 In the current guidelines it is stated that GPs should be supportive towards the CSPs. Unfortunate, even well-intentioned GPs, may still find it difficult to offer accurate and honest information to screening-eligible individuals regarding the CSPs.53 Just, given the complexity and sensitivity of the topic, NHG should adopt a clearer position on screening participation, and should provide GPs with appropriate information which is open and honest. In return this will empower GPs to deliver more nuanced education to screeningeligible individuals about the CSPs, and in the long run will thus optimize cancer care. Lastly, derived from our research two unexplored ideas might inspire future policymakers. First, the possibility of implementing an ‘opt-out’ system for sharing screening attendance data of individuals with the GP-practices might help to target primary care interventions. This approach would ensure that GP-practices receive essential CSP information by default unless patients actively choose to opt out. By knowing the attendance screening status of their patients, GPs and other primary healthcare providers are better fit to aid their patients. Second, discussing our research abroad, colleagues wondered why in the Netherlands we do not have a dedicated primary healthcare provider, physicians or nurse, specifically trained to address women’s primary care needs. This concept, similar to the ‘frauenarzt’ model in Germany, might create a space where female patients can have confidential discussions about women’s health, including the CSPs and screening participation.54 This might be especially effective to reach women with an immigrant background. Implementing such a role might provide an ideal setting for addressing women’s health concerns and promoting participation in the screening programmes. Future perspectives The studies presented in this thesis can – and hopefully will – be used to think about the future of the population-based cancer screening programmes (CSPs) in the Netherlands. In the next section three questions are addressed to discuss on how, if and when the current CSPs of the Netherlands could be enhanced. What do we expect from primary care? As is widely known and underlined by the studies in this thesis, a strong primary care is crucial for the healthcare system in the Netherlands. General practitioners (GPs) and other primary healthcare providers have become increasingly busy lately, especially since the range of tasks kept expanding and the demand on healthcare services increased. As a result anno 2023 many GPs complain of a high workload, and GPs are at risk of (prematurely) quitting their jobs.55 There should be a public debate about what ‘we’ (read as: the society) expect from primary care and our GPs. Such a debate should
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