The Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital and IDIVAL (Santander, Cantabria, Spain) are highly committed with the prevention and early detection of cancer through the participation in EUCanScreen.

Since June 1, 2024, the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and University Hospital (HUMV) from Santander (Cantabria, Spain) have been participating in the European EUCanScreen project, an initiative of the EU4Health program to improve prevention and early detection of cancer in the European Union (EU). The Medical Oncology group of HUMV/IDIVAL collaborates with the hospital’s Digestive and Pneumology teams in different working groups. Specifically, the HUMV/IDIVAL team plays a key role in various areas, such as improving health literacy, risk stratification in new models of screening programs, the applicability of gastric cancer screening programs, and in the training of specialists, participating in training workshops to improve the quality of colonoscopies and digestive endoscopies. It also participates in other tasks, including those related to integration of artificial intelligence in screening programs and applicability of screening programs in prostate and lung cancer.

Cantabria is highly committed to achieving excellence in cancer care. As a proof of this, in 2019 the region created “Oncología en Red”, an oncology network within the scope of the Cantabrian Health Service that counts with a General Committee on Tumors, responding to the need to lead health care in cancer patients, aimed at improving the quality of care and coordinating bodies and health staff from all the centers of the region involved in the care of cancer patients. The objective of “Oncología en Red” is to unify and lead the health care of cancer patients, equalizing clinical practice, favoring access to the most innovative therapeutic options, and improving care coordination. Within this oncology network, population screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer are organized (pathologies that, due to their prevalence, account for a very high percentage of the cancers addressed by this network) with the aim of promoting primary prevention and early detection. In the case of the colorectal cancer screening program, Cantabria is a pioneer, as it has been applying it for more than 10 years. It is also important to mention that most cases of breast cancer treated at the HUMV are cured thanks to the fact that screening and early diagnosis programs allow its detection in early stages, while in the remaining minority percentage of patients receive individualized and personalized treatments, adapted to the characteristics and evolution of the disease, and aimed at prolonging the survival of women with a good quality of life. In addition, the cervix screening programme has been recently incorporated into the portfolio of services last year and is progressing at a good pace.

In this context, on February 25th a conference entitled “Session on cancer: Improving people’s lives” took place in our center, organized by the Public Health Observatory of the Marqués de Valdecilla Foundation, that focused on prevention through different screening programs, scientific advances and resources for cancer patients (https://fmvaldecilla.es/noticia/el-actual-diagnostico-molecular-para-indicar-tratamientos-mas-precisos-y-el-horizonte-de-la-protonterapia-marcan-el-rumbo-del-abordaje-oncologico-en-cantabria/).

In accordance, EUCanScreen represents a strategic opportunity for IDIVAL, HUMV and the Cantabrian Health Service, due to its contribution to the objective of trying to position and consolidate our center and health system as a national and international healthcare and research reference in the field of oncology, as well as for the potential health and socio-economic benefits. Also in this line, the HUMV/IDIVAL team participates in other joint actions in cancer promoted by the European Commission, including JANE-2, EUnetCCC, and eCAN Plus, and will also participate in the Personalized Cancer Medicine Joint Action. All of them aim to promote the prevention of cancer and to ensure high quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, their families, and carers, through different approaches.

In summary, all the above reaffirms HUMV/IDIVAL’s commitment to cancer research and the improvement of care for cancer patients.

El actual diagnóstico molecular para indicar tratamientos más precisos y el horizonte de la protonterapia marcan el rumbo del abordaje oncológico en Cantabria

Norway has been selected as the Screening Campaign Country for February 2025. This initiative rotates monthly among different EU member countries, each sharing updates and initiatives to enhance cancer screening practices and participation.

Throughout the month of February 2025, Norway will highlight the work being done at the Cancer Registry of Norway to improve communication around cancer screening.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) are leading the following Work Packages and Tasks within the EUCanScreen Joint Action:

Work Package 6 (WP6) Addressing Barriers and Facilitators in Cancer Screening, led by Mari Nygård – Head of the Department of Research at the Cancer Registry of Norway. In collaboration with 26 EU countries, this package aims to identify and overcome barriers to participation in cancer screening programs. The focus is on developing tools and strategies that ensure equal access to life-saving screenings across Europe.

Task 6.4 Addressing barriers in immigrant populations, led by Mari Nygård.

Task 11.5 Cervical cancer screening specialist training and regional training centre, led by Ameli Tropé – Head of CervicalScreen Norway at the Cancer Registry of Norway.

This Task is under Work Package 11 Capacity building, where the overall objective is to empower current and future leaders of cancer screening in exemplary countries to successfully implement or improve organised population-based screening in their respective countries.

A dedicated team of 17 members from the Cancer Registry of Norway is contributing to this initiative, with a total dedication of 111.5 personal months.

Throughout February, Norway will share:

• – Introductions to key team members from the Cancer Registry of Norway, NIPH, who are involved in this Joint Action.
• – Strategies for addressing language barriers, cultural sensitivities, and logistical challenges in cancer screening.
• – Innovative communication strategies tailored to increase participation.
• – Approaches to reach immigrant and minority communities with culturally adapted materials.
• – Highlights from recent kick-off meetings.

Join us this month as we showcase Norway’s contributions to making cancer screening more accessible and effective across Europe.