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

Spain has been selected as the Screening Campaign Country of the month for March 2025.

The Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) was assigned as the Competent Authority representing Spain. There are five Spanish Affiliated Entities participating in EUCanScreen:

• – Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS) IACS | IACS
• – Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Valdecilla (IDIVAL) Inicio – IDIVAL
• – Instituto de Investigaciónj en Sistemas de Salud (Biosistemak) Instituto de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud Biosistemak
• – Fundación per al Foment de la Investigació Sanitaria i Biomedica de la Comunitat Valenciana (Fisabio) FISABIO | Fisabio
• – Institut de Investigació Hospital del Mar (IMIM) Hospital del Mar Research Institute

Between the Competent Authority and its Affiliated Entities, Spain has a significant contribution in all Work Packages of EUCanScreen.

ICO Leads Work Package 7 – Implementation Research to improve the existing cancer screening programmes and Co-Leads T7.1 Implementing Quality assurance (QA) scheme alongside UCY, Cyprus. ICO also Leads on T7.5 Implementing informed decision-making in population-based cancer screening programmes.

IACS Co-leads T5.5 Piloting developed standardised data model for Euorpean Health Data Space (EHDS) alongside CSF, Finland.

Within the following weeks, each Spanish institution participating in EUCanScreen will post an update on their specific involvement and contributions to the project.

Spain has a decentralised cancer screening structure. The Ministry of Health is responsible for national planning and regulation, while regional health authorities manage operational aspects. Therefore, during March, Spanish institutions will share news relating to their regional screening programmes, updates and advancements.

Stay tuned this March for more information on Spain’s contributions to making cancer screening more accessible and effective across Europe.

IACS | IACS

Inicio – IDIVAL

Instituto de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud Biosistemak

FISABIO | Fisabio

Hospital del Mar Research Institute