The European Union finances 58 projects for reducing inequalities in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

The European Union has co-financed, through the EU4Health program, 70 cancer-related projects launched under the European Cancer Plan, of which 58 aim to reduce inequalities in prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, quality of life, and survival. The European Executive Agency for Health and Digital presented these projects in the context of the European Week Against Cancer 2026.

In short

EU4Health has co-financed 70 cancer-related projects under the European Cancer Plan.

Of these, 58 address inequalities in prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, quality of life, and survival.

The projects focus on health literacy, access to screening, clinical guidelines, training for specialists, and support for patients and survivors.

The European network of comprehensive cancer centers aims for 90% of eligible patients to have access to such centers by 2030.

HaDEA manages the majority of the EU4Health budget and implements the program through grants and public procurement.

Reducing inequalities in cancer is one of the cross-cutting objectives of the European Cancer Plan. HaDEA's article shows that these inequalities occur throughout the disease pathway, from prevention and detection to treatment, quality of life, and reintegration of those who have gone through cancer.

In prevention, the joint action PreventNCD supports strategies to reduce the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. The project includes the analysis of policies addressing avoidable inequalities and pilot actions targeting differences in access to health care. Other projects, such as CURTAIN, CHOICE, BCLEAR, iNTERVENE, and CLEAR-PC, aim to improve cancer literacy and access to prevention and quality care.

HaDEA shows that many of these projects develop digital tools, virtual libraries, and campaigns tailored for disadvantaged groups. Among these are individuals from regions with poorer access to medical services, hard-to-reach groups, and people with low levels of general or digital literacy.

For early detection, the joint action EUcanScreen supports the implementation of quality screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, as well as for recently recommended programs for lung, prostate, and gastric cancer. The project aims to identify barriers to access at both the health system level and the individual level.

In the same area, EUCervScreen QA updates the European guidelines and quality assurance scheme for cervical cancer screening. The update will take into account the existing inequalities between European countries and within them regarding access to screening.

In diagnosis and treatment, the joint action JANE, concluding in 2024, has prepared the establishment of seven European cancer expertise networks. The continuation of the project, JANE-2, produces clinical practice guidelines, models for organizing medical services, and educational tools for specialists and patients.

The INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project aims to reduce inequalities by improving interdisciplinary training in oncology. HaDEA mentions the use of translation and digital platforms to reach centers in rural or resource-limited areas.

In the area of quality of life and survival, the European Youth Cancer Network works on equality, diversity, and inclusion through surveys, practical tools, training for inclusion, and certification systems. The project aims to identify underrepresented groups of young survivors and promote inclusive practices in medical systems, patient organizations, and communication campaigns.

HaDEA has also managed an EU4Health contract for a study on job retention and return to work for cancer patients and survivors. The study analyzed existing political and legal measures in EU member states and in EEA EFTA states, such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, and identified 13 examples of measures that support job retention and return to work.

The European Cancer Plan was designed as a framework for action throughout the disease pathway. In this file, the projects presented by HaDEA aim at both data collection and monitoring, as well as innovation, technology, health literacy, professional training, strengthening medical capacity, and cross-border collaboration.

EU4Health is the fourth and largest health program of the European Union. The program finances national authorities, health organizations, and other bodies through grants and public procurement, and HaDEA manages the majority of the total budget for the period 2021-2027.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/uniunea-europeana-finanteaza-58-de-proiecte-pentru-reducerea-inegalitatilor-in-prevenirea-si-tratarea-cancerului