Igor Grabovac advocates for equity in cancer care at the HaDEA Project Showcase

On 4 February, World Cancer Day, Igor Grabovac, Public Health Specialist at the Medical University of Vienna and coordinator of the CO-CAPTAIN project, participated in the first HaDEA Project Showcase, an event organised by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) under the theme ‘Fostering synergies to beat cancer: The impact of EU-funded projects’.

Speaking on the panel on cancer prevention and early detection, Igor stressed the importance of incorporating equity as a fundamental pillar in cancer research and care. He voiced the need for all projects to make real commitments to removing barriers and expanding access to health services, highlighting initiatives such as CO-CAPTAIN and CANCERLESS.

One of the key messages of his speech was the need for policy makers to strengthen local monitoring of health inequalities and to support the work of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in developing the European Cancer Inequalities Registry. In this context, he stressed that policy decisions must be based on sound data, not forgetting that behind every figure is a human story that demands immediate action.

While doubts remain about the future of the European Cancer Plan in the new political landscape, Igor highlighted the commitment expressed by Sandra Gallina, Director General of DG SANTE, and Marina Zanchi, Director of HaDEA, to continue to support the European cancer mission and the funding of scientific projects in this field.

The HaDEA Project Showcase not only allowed for the sharing of knowledge and strategies, but also highlighted the experiences of patients themselves, underlining the importance of a people-centred approach. Equity, inclusion and access to quality health services remain key priorities for researchers and policy makers in Europe. In this context, CO-CAPTAIN reinforces its commitment to reducing inequalities in cancer prevention by ensuring that people with mental health problems receive appropriate care. Through research and the implementation of innovative solutions, the project continues to work to transform access to cancer prevention and care in Europe.