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Newsletter | Issue 4 | May 2026 |
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Table of Content |
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Stay updated on EUCanScreenโs latest progress, collaborations, and upcoming events. Discover key project developments, innovative cancer screening approaches, and community engagement initiatives driving change across Europe. ๐ #CancerScreening #EUProjects |
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AI in Mammography Screening |
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๐ค RSYD/CAI-X developed a train-the-trainer programme on AI in breast cancer screening, drawing on Danish experiences. Topics included ethics, accountability, and the AI Act. Latvian EUCanScreen partners strengthened their capacity for responsible AI implementation. ๐๏ธ #EUCanScreen #AI
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EUCanScreen in Its Second Year: Key Dissemination Milestones and Initiatives |
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๐ข In Year 2, DYPEDE released the 1st EUCanScreen press release, conducted expert interviews at the Bled meeting with partners from Latvia, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Poland & Slovenia, and launched the "Meet the EUCanScreen People" campaign. ๐ #EUCanScreen #Dissemination |
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How to Decide Which Screening Programme to Implement or Change? |
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โ๏ธ CPO (Italy) and Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam are developing a prioritisation framework to help governments decide which cancer screening programmes to implement or improve. Covering benefits, harms, costs, equity and sustainability, the framework was presented at the EUCanScreen consortium meeting in March 2026. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening |
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Latvia Moves Towards Risk-Adapted Prostate Cancer Screening |
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๐ฅ PSKUS (Latvia) is working towards a risk-adapted prostate cancer screening model, replacing the current opportunistic approach. Key milestones include national discussions with the Ministry of Health, comparative analysis of European screening models, and international collaboration with EAU and PRAISE-U plus. ๐ #EUCanScreen #ProstateCancer |
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MAS-AI: Model for Assessing the value of AI |
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๐ค EUCanScreen's MAS-AI model for assessing the value of AI has been updated and expanded beyond imaging to broader clinical AI use. The updated version is currently under peer review in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care and will be tested through eight pilot cases covering skin, lung, breast, and prostate cancer. ๐ฌ #EUCanScreen #AI #CancerScreening |
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Moldova Advances Cervical Cancer Screening: A Multidisciplinary Approach |
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๐ฅ On 19 May, Ruslan Baltaga, Director of the Institute of Oncology of Moldova, organised a multidisciplinary meeting to optimise the cervical cancer screening patient pathway. Key outcomes include harmonising recommendations into National Clinical Protocols and plans for a joint Oncology and Gynaecology Societies meeting. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CervicalCancer |
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Online Meeting On Risk-Stratified Cervical Screening Held On 1 April |
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๐ On 1 April 2026, leading international experts from Europe and the US gathered online to discuss risk-stratified cervical cancer screening. Presentations covered approaches from Sweden, Italy, Belgium, the US and France, focusing on screening in vaccinated women, HPV genotyping, self-sampling, and the "equal risk, equal management" principle. ๐๏ธ #EUCanScreen #CervicalCancer |
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Strengthening Early Cancer Detection: EUCanScreen Course on Upper GI Endoscopy Held at IPO Porto |
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๐ฅ On 19โ20 March, IPO Porto hosted the EUCanScreen Course on Upper GI Endoscopy, welcoming 23 participants from 12 countries. Over two days, experts engaged in case-based learning and experience exchange to improve early cancer detection and clinical practice. ๐ #EUCanScreen #Endoscopy #CancerDetection |
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Strengthening Participation In Cancer Screening Under Cancer Plan V |
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๐๏ธ On 7 May 2026, experts and stakeholders gathered for a cross-regional thematic day on increasing cancer screening participation under Cancer Plan V. By identifying structural, social, and individual barriers and developing concrete solutions, the event strengthened cross-regional collaboration towards more effective and equitable cancer screening strategies nationwide. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening #CancerPlanV |
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Target of Cervical Cancer Screening In HPV-Vaccinated Cohorts Depends On The Vaccination Programme |
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๐ As HPV vaccination programmes expand across Europe, the target of cervical cancer screening in vaccinated cohorts depends on the vaccination programme itself. This modelling study explores feasible screening strategies for both vaccinated and unvaccinated women, considering varying vaccination coverage and indirect protection effects. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CervicalCancer #HPV |
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Voices from EUCanScreen: Leaders Share the Vision for Cancer Screening |
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๐ฅ At the EUCanScreen Consortium Event in Bled, March 2026, ProMIS recorded video interviews with Work Package leaders to highlight the people and vision behind Europe's cancer screening efforts. The interviews aim to strengthen stakeholder engagement and will soon be available on the EUCanScreen website and social media. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening |
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What Makes a Good Leader in Cancer Screening? |
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๐ฏ For the first time within EUCanScreen, leadership in cancer screening was explored at a workshop in Bled, March 2026. Using LEGOยฎ Serious Playยฎ, experts from 12 European countries examined leadership competencies, paving the way for the first competency model โ with over 100 leaders to be trained by 2028. ๐ #EUCanScreen #Leadership #CancerScreening |
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Sustainability of Cancer Screening Programmes in Europe |
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๐ In March 2026, around 90 cancer screening experts gathered in Bled for the EUCanScreen kick-off meeting on sustainability of cancer screening programmes, led by Slovenia. Target countries (Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine) exchanged experiences with supporting countries to identify common priorities and strengthen sustainable cancer screening across Europe. ๐๏ธ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening #Sustainability |
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Featured Research / Findings
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HPV Vaccination Coverage in Italy |
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๐ Italy guarantees free HPV vaccination for girls and boys from age 11 under the Essential Levels of Care. The 2024 national report on cohorts born 2000โ2012 reveals strong coverage in northern regions, persistent gaps in the south, and lower uptake among males โ with improving equity as the central priority. ๐ฎ๐น #EUCanScreen #HPV #CancerPrevention |
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Incidental Findings in Lung Cancer Screening |
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๐ซ In the Czech Republic, 72% of 16,995 patients undergoing baseline LDCT lung cancer screening had at least one incidental finding. ILA prevalence is estimated at 3โ10% globally โ more frequent than lung cancer itself. New clinical guidelines are being developed to ensure standardised care for affected patients. ๐จ๐ฟ #EUCanScreen #LungCancer #CancerScreening |
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National Screening Center Of The Slovak Republic โ Strengthening Organised Screening Programmes |
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๐ฅ The National Screening Centre (NSC) of the Slovak Republic, launched on 15 January 2026, marks a key milestone in cancer prevention. Building on IARC cooperation, it coordinates organised screening, strengthens data infrastructure, and reduces inequalities. EUCanScreen supports this journey. ๐ธ๐ฐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening #Slovakia |
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Health in Europe |
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๐ During the Danish EU Presidency in October 2025, the Region of Southern Denmark hosted "Health in Europe: Joint Actions, Joint Future." The event brought together European stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to reinforce a key message: no single country can solve today's health challenges alone. EUCanScreen was represented alongside major EU Joint Actions on cancer, mental health, dementia, and the European Health Data Space. ๐ค #EUCanScreen #EUHealth #JointActions |
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International Conference IARC@60: Cancer Research into Action |
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๐ฌ From 19 to 21 May 2026, Lyon hosted International Conference IARC@60: Cancer Research into Action. Prof. Mฤrcis Leja represented Latvia, presenting EUCanScreen, GISTAR and TOGAS initiatives, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and prevention. According to IARC, cancer cases could rise 60% by 2040. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerResearch #IARC |
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Preventive Care in the Hands of Citizens |
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๐ฑ The Czech Republic is putting preventive care directly in the hands of its citizens with EZKarta, a mobile app centralising medical data and screening history. Key features include prevention tracking, family health management for children under 18, and upcoming automated alerts for eligible screenings. Data is sourced from the National Registry of Reimbursed Health Services. ๐จ๐ฟ #EUCanScreen #DigitalHealth #CancerPrevention |
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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EUCanScreen Joint Stakeholder Conference โ Save the Date |
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Save the Date! On 28โ29 October 2026, Rome will host the EUCanScreen Joint Stakeholder Conference to Strengthen Sustainable Cancer Screening Across Europe. Organised by ProMIS, the two-day hybrid meeting will bring together European institutions, health experts, and patient organisations to shape a shared vision for the future of cancer screening. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening |
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Publications & Media Mentions
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Conceptual Framework For Risk-Stratified Screening Published In EJC |
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๐ A new EUCanScreen publication in the European Journal of Cancer (EJC)! A multidisciplinary group of experts from 22 European countries presents a consensus-based framework for risk-stratified cancer screening, covering the entire screening pathway โ from eligibility to referral and follow-up โ to support its future implementation across Europe. ๐ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening #RiskStratification |
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Turn Your Back on Cancer |
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๐๏ธ From November 2025 to March 2026, the Czech Republic ran the "Turn Your Back on Cancer" campaign, supported by the European Union, to raise awareness of five cancer screening programmes: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. Using TV, digital media and public figures. "Prevention starts with information. Turn your back on cancer!" ๐จ๐ฟ #EUCanScreen #CancerScreening #Prevention |
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Community Engagement & Feedback
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Moldova Raises Awareness on Cancer Screening and Prevention |
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๐๏ธ The Institute of Oncology of Moldova continues its active involvement in cancer awareness within the EUCanScreen framework. A national conference on colorectal cancer screening and public campaigns during Skin Cancer Awareness Month were held, with media appearances on Jurnal TV, Radio Moldova, and TV8 highlighting rising skin cancer incidence and the importance of early detection. ๐ฒ๐ฉ #EUCanScreen #CancerPrevention #Moldova |
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Together Against Cancer Inequalities: Why European Week Against Cancer Still Matters |
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๐๏ธ Every year from 25 to 31 May, Europe unites for the European Week Against Cancer. The 2026 theme is "Together against cancer inequalities" โ a call to close the gaps in prevention, early detection, and treatment across Europe. Find out how to get involved! ๐ #EWAC2026 #EUCanScreen |
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