Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Cyprus, with around 4,500 new cases recorded each year, underlining the scale of the public health challenge.
Behind the figures are patients seeking timely diagnosis, families in need of guidance, doctors requiring better tools and a health system under pressure to connect more effectively with research, technology and European cooperation.
For patients, diagnosis is only the beginning of a long journey involving tests, treatment decisions and ongoing support - a journey the EU Cancer Mission aims to improve by reshaping how Europe prevents, understands, diagnoses and treats the disease.
A European strategy
The initiative is a central pillar of the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, with a target of improving the lives of more than three million people by 2030 through prevention, treatment and post-care support.
Across the EU, around 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths are recorded annually, with economic costs estimated at €200bn. Projections suggest diagnoses could exceed 3.2 million by 2040 due to ageing populations, unhealthy lifestyles and unequal access to screening and care.
Speaking on radio, Dr Eleni Tolma said cancer remains a major public health issue both in the EU and Cyprus, where it ranks as the second leading cause of death. She described the mission as a holistic, long-term initiative launched in 2021 to tackle the disease across multiple sectors.
Four pillars of action
The EU Cancer Mission spans the entire cancer pathway - from prevention to life after treatment.
According to Dr Tolma, it functions as the research arm of Europe’s broader cancer plan, supported by funding of around €4bn. Key projects include UNCAN.eu and the European Cancer Patient Digital Centre.
The strategy is built on four pillars: prevention and early detection, understanding the disease, diagnosis and treatment, and improving patients’ quality of life.
This approach shifts the focus beyond treatment alone, recognising patients as individuals needing continuous support, information and follow-up care throughout and after their illness.
Cyprus’ role
Cyprus plays an active part in this effort, with 14 organisations participating in 14 projects linked to the EU Cancer Mission, supported by €5.65m in European funding.
These include initiatives such as ECHoS, which aims to link research with real-world care through national cancer hubs, and UNCAN.eu, which focuses on data use and digital tools to support more precise care.
Dr Tolma, who also serves as an ambassador for the mission in Cyprus and Malta, said her role involves sharing information locally and supporting organisations in implementing cancer-related policies and initiatives.
Digital tools and AI
A key focus of the mission is the use of data and digital technologies. Artificial intelligence and large-scale data analysis are expected to help researchers better understand how cancer develops, identify patterns earlier and support more accurate clinical decisions.
Digital tools are also increasingly used in telemedicine, patient monitoring and communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Dr Tolma stressed that Cyprus needs full digitalisation of cancer-related services, as well as stronger integration between national systems and European platforms.
Nicosia conference
These issues will be in focus at the European conference “Understanding Cancer in the Digital Age: Data, Innovation and Equity”, taking place in Nicosia.
The event will bring together policymakers, researchers, clinicians, digital health experts and patient representatives from across Europe to discuss data use, artificial intelligence and equitable access to innovation.
Speakers include former EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and Joanna Drake, a senior official in the European Commission’s research directorate.
Beyond technological progress, the conference will also address how smaller countries such as Cyprus can strengthen their research capacity and ensure patients benefit from European innovation.
This article was originally published on the Greek-language Politis website.