From advances in blood-based biomarkers for lung cancer screening to new evidence on physical activity, proteomics, breast cancer research and European funding opportunities, this roundup brings together some of the latest developments shaping cancer prevention, early detection, research and policy.

Blood test and lung cancer screening
Blood-based test may improve selection of individuals for LDCT lung cancer screening
Category: Lung Cancer

IARC reports a new study suggesting that a blood-based test could improve the selection of individuals who should be offered lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography. The study was conducted by IARC and partners from the Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium and was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. IARC explains that LDCT screening can reduce lung cancer mortality among high-risk people with a smoking history, but many lung cancers occur among individuals who are not currently eligible for screening. This limits the overall impact of existing screening criteria. The study validates the protein-based INTEGRAL-Risk model as a possible way to refine eligibility and identify people who may benefit from screening. The approach could help make screening strategies more targeted by adding biomarker information to traditional risk assessment. Although this item is dated 18 May 2026 and therefore falls outside the original June-only window, it is included here because it was specifically provided for inclusion and it is not a duplicate of the June lung cancer items already selected.

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/new-study-finds-that-blood-test-could-increase-the-impact-of-lung-cancer-screening-with-low-dose-computed-tomography

A prospective study of physical activity and cardiometabolic diseases in association with cancer risk
Physical activity remains associated with lower cancer risk among people with and without cardiometabolic diseases
Category: Prevention

IARC reports on a prospective study led by its researchers with European and international collaborators, examining the association between physical activity, cardiometabolic diseases and cancer risk. The study found that people who were more physically active had a lower risk of developing cancer, and that this association was observed in adults with and without cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This finding is important because these chronic conditions are common and often coexist with cancer-related risk factors, making prevention strategies especially relevant for people already managing long-term health issues. The research supports the role of physical activity as a broad preventive measure across different population groups, rather than as a recommendation limited to people without existing disease. It also reinforces the need to integrate cancer prevention with wider chronic disease prevention policies, including lifestyle counselling, public health planning and clinical guidance. By showing that the association between activity and lower cancer risk remains present even among people with cardiometabolic disease, the study adds useful evidence for prevention programmes aiming to reduce cancer burden through achievable behavioural interventions.

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/a-prospective-study-of-physical-activity-and-cardiometabolic-diseases-in-association-with-cancer-risk

Proteomics of multimorbidity progression across cardiometabolic diseases and cancer in a multinational cohort
Blood-based protein markers linked to multimorbidity progression across chronic diseases and cancer
Category: Prevention

IARC reports a new international study led by its scientists on protein markers shared across common chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Researchers analysed blood samples from 13,270 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. The aim was to identify protein signatures associated with multimorbidity and with transitions from a healthy state to cardiometabolic disease and then to cancer. The study suggests that some chronic diseases may share biological pathways, which can help researchers better understand how different conditions develop together over time. The findings may support more integrated approaches to prevention and early detection, especially when cancer risk overlaps with metabolic and cardiovascular risk. The research also shows the potential of proteomics for studying disease progression in large population cohorts and for identifying biological signals that appear before or alongside clinical disease. This approach may help future work on risk stratification, biomarker discovery and prevention strategies that address cancer within the broader context of chronic disease.

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/proteomics-of-multimorbidity-progression-across-cardiometabolic-diseases-and-cancer-in-a-multinational-cohort

Long-term health risks of e-cigarettes after smoking cessation
Evidence discussion on e-cigarette use after quitting smoking and lung cancer outcomes
Category: Lung Cancer

IARC reports on a News & Views article published in Nature Medicine by an IARC researcher and a collaborator from the University of California San Francisco. The article discusses a study based on data from 4.5 million ever-smokers in the Republic of Korea. The study examined e-cigarette use after smoking cessation and subsequent outcomes related to lung cancer risk and mortality. According to the IARC summary, the findings suggest that using e-cigarettes after quitting smoking may reduce some of the health benefits normally associated with smoking cessation, particularly in relation to lung cancer. The commentary considers the strengths of the research, the limits of the evidence and the remaining questions requiring further study. The topic is directly connected to tobacco control and prevention strategies, especially because e-cigarettes are often discussed as alternatives for smokers trying to quit. The article helps frame e-cigarette use not only as a smoking cessation issue, but also as a longer-term cancer prevention concern that may need careful communication in clinical and public health settings.

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/long-term-health-risks-of-e-cigarettes-after-smoking-cessation

Cancers: the hidden face of viruses
An ongoing exhibition on viruses, cancer prevention and therapeutic innovation
Category: Awareness

IARC announces a new exhibition co-presented with the Dr Mérieux Biological Sciences Museum in Lyon and Marcy-l’Étoile. The exhibition, titled “Cancers: the hidden face of viruses,” explores the relationship between viruses and cancer. IARC explains that scientists have identified nine viruses capable of contributing to certain cancers in humans and that around one in twelve cancers worldwide is caused by a virus. The exhibition also presents another side of the same topic by showing how some viruses can be used as therapeutic tools, including approaches that may stimulate the immune system against cancer. The initiative is designed for public awareness and scientific communication, with content available in French and English across two sites. Since the exhibition is scheduled to run for one year, it is not a concluded event and remains accessible beyond June 2026. The exhibition connects cancer prevention, infection-related cancers, public education and therapeutic innovation, making it suitable for an awareness-focused cancer update addressed to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/le-circ-et-le-musee-de-sciences-biologiques-docteur-merieux-co-presentent-lexposition-inedite-cancers-la-face-cachee-des-virus

EU grants access to funding under the EU4Health programme to the Republic of North Macedonia
EU4Health funding access to support prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including cancer
Category: Prevention

The European Commission’s public health site announces that the Republic of North Macedonia will gain access to funding opportunities under the EU4Health programme. The agreement applies retroactively from 1 January 2026 and allows public and private health sector entities in the country to participate in open calls, direct grants and joint actions. The Commission explains that these opportunities can support improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care in critical health areas, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The announcement is broader than oncology alone, but it is connected to cancer policy because EU4Health is one of the main instruments used to strengthen health system resilience, disease prevention, health data, access to care and implementation of European health priorities. For North Macedonia, participation creates the possibility to join European-level health projects and cooperation mechanisms that may include cancer-related activities, services and reforms. The measure may also support alignment with EU health policy frameworks and give national stakeholders access to collaborative funding routes relevant to cancer prevention and care.

Direct link: https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/eu-grants-access-funding-under-eu4health-programme-republic-north-macedonia-2026-06-24_en

Joint Call JTC 2026: Translational Research on Cancer Metabolism
Funding call for translational research on cancer metabolism
Category: Upcoming Events

TRANSCAN-4 launches its first Joint Transnational Call for research proposals, JTC 2026, on “Translational Research on Cancer Metabolism: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment.” The call invites international research consortia to submit projects focused on cancer metabolism and its clinical applications. The programme highlights the importance of understanding metabolic reprogramming in cancer, including how tumour cells adapt their energy production, interact with the tumour microenvironment and develop vulnerabilities that may be used for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The call focuses on two main areas: improving cancer diagnostics and monitoring through metabolic biomarkers, and intercepting metabolic vulnerabilities to support precision medicine. Eligible projects may address metabolic imaging, biomarker signatures, therapeutic targets, repurposed treatments, advanced models and clinically relevant translational approaches. The call also encourages interdisciplinary work involving fields such as molecular biology, clinical oncology, nutrition science, microbiology, pharmacology, computational biology and artificial intelligence. Participating funding organisations include institutions from several European and international countries, including Italy through the Ministry of Health, Lombardy Region and Tuscany Region.

Direct link: https://transcan.eu/funding/calls/joint-call-jtc-2026-.kl