Spotlight on cancer: projects advancing the fight against one of Europe’s biggest public health challenges

Every year, an estimated 2.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the EU. Cancer is also the second most common cause of death in the Union. 

In response to this major public health concern, in 2021 the European Commission launched the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. With a total of €4 billion earmarked for actions addressing cancer, the Plan aims to reduce the number of people affected by it, encourage prevention, boost early detection, ensure timely and effective diagnosis and treatment, and improve the quality of life of patients and survivors. 

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Cancer Plan, which has already demonstrated significant positive impacts. More than €2.7 billion has been invested in concrete actions to address the entire disease pathway, and the Commission now works with almost 630 organisations under the Plan. 

“Unlocking the Cancer Plan’s full potential will lead to strengthened prevention, early detection and better access to treatment regardless of geography or income. It also means strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in the healthcare sector, accelerating research, supporting innovation and boosting investment.” 

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

Joining efforts with the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the EU Cancer Mission aims to support cancer research and deepen our understanding of what causes cancer – including biological processes and risk factors, contributing to better health outcomes for European citizens. 

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission, together with EU countries and stakeholders, provide the needed coherence between cancer policy, cancer research, scientific knowledge and expertise to bring tangible solutions and hope to one of our greatest public health challenges. 

As a result of this cross-cutting collaboration, initiatives from EU funding programmes managed by HaDEA are working not only to fight cancer at every stage of the disease, but also to help prevent it by promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

Prevention is key: European Code against Cancer’s recommendations to reduce cancer risk 

Evidence shows that about 40% of cancer cases in the EU are preventable. In light of this, the European Code against Cancer, funded under the EU4Health programme and part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, has presented its 5^th edition (ECAC5) with a set of 14 evidence-based recommendations for people to reduce their risk of cancer. 

The recommendations are practical ways to prevent the disease, such as avoiding smoking and alcoholic drinks, being physically active and in regular weight, getting vaccinated against cancer-causing infections or taking part in organised cancer screening programmes, among others. 

The updated code also provides 14 complementary policy recommendations tailored to policy makers and aligned with existing international policies. These policy recommendations aim to reinforce the guidelines for individuals, further contributing to and promoting healthier societies. They also help prevent other non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, which share the same risk factors. 

The recommendations and supporting materials, including the leaflets, are available in all 24 EU languages, ensuring accessibility across Europe. 

Investigating the early detection of pancreatic cancer from blood samples  

Funded under the Horizon Europe programme (Cluster 4: Digital), PHOREVER is developing a tiny, portable medical device to detect early signs of pancreatic cancer and monitor disease progression from just a blood test. 

Instead of traditional screening methods, which can be more costly, time-consuming and invasive, the project aims to use this device to rapidly identify extracellular vesicles (EVs), microscopic particles released by cells and found in blood. These particles can potentially help detect the disease, understand how it develops and monitor it over time.

While clinical studies have already shown that analysing EVs in blood can detect pancreatic cancer with over 90% accuracy in research settings, the PHOREVER device, designed to bring this method into clinical practice, is still in its final phase of development and testing before validation. 

PHOREVER seeks to support healthcare professionals in timely assessing the presence of pancreatic cancer, the stage of its progression and the effectiveness of treatments, while paving the way for non-invasive, blood-based diagnostics. 

In addition to focusing on pancreatic cancer, PHOREVER is also working on the early detection of stroke. 

Towards more effective breast cancer treatments using trustworthy AI 

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the EU. An estimated 360,000 women were diagnosed with the disease in 2024, accounting for around 29% of all cancer diagnoses in women. 

Bringing together 16 partners from 13 countries, RadioVal is accelerating research on breast cancer treatment by testing a new way to predict how patients will respond to chemotherapy before surgery.  

Funded under Horizon Europe (Cluster 1: Health), the project is focused on the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using radiomics – a method that extracts hidden details from medical images that the human eye can’t see. AI is then trained to identify patterns and predict patients' responses to treatment. 

Currently, RadioVal is finishing data harmonisation and the development of the AI-driven tools. In the upcoming months, the project will start the clinical validation phase to test these tools in real hospital settings across multiple countries. 

If successful, RadioVal’s AI-powered predictions will allow doctors to perform more effective, personalised chemotherapy treatments, opening the door to better outcomes for breast cancer patients and increasing trust in AI-driven clinical decision-making. 

Smarter care for cancer patients in a “home-like” environment 

Funded under CEF-Digital, 5G-TRACE is deploying a private 5G network across two oncological healthcare facilities in Thessaloniki, Greece – a hospital and a day-care unit.  

The project combines high-quality, ultra-fast, reliable connectivity with AI tools and connected medical devices to monitor patients continuously and effectively, making cancer treatment and care smarter, faster and safer.   

The 5G network helps detect breast cancer earlier by transmitting scan data quickly, securely and reliably for faster analysis. Moreover, 5G-TRACE aims to ensure instant, smooth connections between smart medical devices and healthcare professionals, providing clinical information in real time. The devices include: 

• Smartwatches that constantly track vital signs, even when the patient is at home;
• Smart infusion pumps allowing for precise delivery of medication;
• Portable ultrasounds and defibrillators that can send data instantly;
• Smart beds to ensure comfort for patients based on their needs. 

The project is also deploying AI-processed sensors that are meant to monitor air quality, energy use and water consumption, helping these healthcare facilities run more sustainably. 5G-TRACE has fully deployed the 5G network in the hospital, installing around 70 access points across its 10 floors. The project is now in the optimisation and testing phase. 

In the day-care unit, the 5G network is expected to be ready for testing by summer 2026. 

Analysing barriers and good practices in the provision of care for adolescents and young adult cancer patients 

Under the EU4Health programme, HaDEA has also signed a contract for a study on the provision of care for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) cancer patients. So far, the contractor has conducted research to analyse major barriers, good practices and innovative approaches in the design and provision of quality care before, during and after cancer treatment. The project is currently conducting stakeholder consultations for the validation of its preliminary findings. 

Relevant links: 

• Commission marks five years of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan
• The latest EU cancer data: what is new? - Joint Research Centre 

Discover more HaDEA-managed projects building synergies to achieve the EU’s strategic objectives:   

• Spotlight on EU Preparedness: projects reinforcing Europe’s resilience in a changing world - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• Spotlight on EU cybersecurity: projects shielding the EU from cyber threats - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• Spotlight on digital skills: projects strengthening Europe’s workforce for the digital decade - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence: projects enhancing EU tech sovereignty through excellence in AI - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) 

Learn more about HaDEA-managed EU funding programmes:    

• Connecting Europe Facility - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• Digital Europe Programme - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• EU4Health - European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
• Horizon Europe- European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)