Since 2021, following the launch of the European Plan to Combat Cancer, the European Union (EU) is investing heavily in the fight against cancer. This plan sets out a new EU approach to cancer prevention, treatment and care. In particular, it proposes ten flagship initiatives and multiple measures to address all stages of the disease, from prevention to quality of life for cancer patients and survivors, focusing on those measures where the EU can add most value. To this end, it is funding numerous European initiatives aimed at the fight against cancer, within the EU4Health work program.
In this context, since 2022 the Medical Oncology group HUMV – IDIVAL has been expanding its participation in various joint actions in this area. Firstly, it participates in the joint action eCAN (Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and telemonitoring for health care systems for cancer prevention and care) (2022-2024), whose overall objective is to evaluate the benefits of teleconsultation and telemonitoring on the quality of life of patients with different types of cancer. Among the activities developed in this initiative, the Medical Oncology Service of HUMV participated in two pilot studies in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and in patients with advanced cancer, with the aim of evaluating the possible benefits of a tele-rehabilitation program or remote psycho-oncology support, respectively, with very satisfactory results for both patients and healthcare staff involved. This team also participates in two closely linked joint actions: JANE (Joint Action on Networks of Expertise) (2022-2024), whose ultimate aim is to create networks of experts in different areas of cancer, such as personalized primary prevention, survivorship, palliative care, omic technologies, high-tech medical resources, poor prognosis or complex cancer; and CraNE (Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres: Preparatory activities on creation of National Comprehensive Cancer Centres and EU Networking) (2022-2024), whose objective is to establish the necessary pre-conditions to create a network of comprehensive cancer centers (CCC) in Europe. Likewise, since 2024 this team participates in the joint action EUCanScreen (Implementation of cancer screening programmes) (2024-2028) where the Digestive team of HUMV/IDIVAL also collaborates, and whose objective is to guarantee the sustainability of the implementation of high quality screening tests for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, as well as the implementation of the recently recommended screening programs for lung, prostate and gastric cancer, thus facilitating the reduction of the cancer burden and achieving equity throughout the EU.
Finally, from late 2024/early 2025, the HUMV/IDIVAL Medical Oncology Service, and in collaboration with other HUMV services, including the Hematology Service, will participate in two new joint actions: EUnetCCC and JANE-2. EUnetCCC (The European Comprehensive Cancer Centre Network) is a continuation of the current CraNE joint action, through which the aim is for numerous centers in Europe, including HUMV, to be accredited as CCCs. This will provide cancer patients with greater access to early detection programs, screening, diagnosis, treatment, innovative strategies, research and training of oncology staff, in line with the objectives of the European Cancer Plan. JANE-2 (Joint Action on Networks of Expertise on Cancer), on the other hand, is a European initiative which, based on previous work carried out in the context of its predecessor joint action (JANE), aims to create and implement seven networks of experts in different areas of cancer: cancer with a poor prognosis or complex, palliative care, survivorship, personalized primary/secondary prevention, omics technologies, high-tech medical resources, and adolescents and young adults with cancer.
The results derived from the participation of the team in all these European initiatives will bring great benefits for cancer patients, resulting in significant improvements in the management of their disease and in their quality of life. Furthermore, it is of great strategic interest for IDIVAL, HUMV, the Cantabrian Health Service and, in general, for the National Health System, because of its contribution to the objective of trying to position and consolidate our center and health system as a national and international reference in the field of oncology, as well as for the potential health and socioeconomic benefits associated with the development of these projects.
Cover photo: HUMV Medical Oncology Group – IDIVAL
