As part of the European commitment to improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, SPMS participated in the kick-off meeting that marked the official start of the eCAN Plus joint action, which took place on the 5th of June.
As part of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the eCAN Plus joint action aims to boost the digital capabilities of cancer centres in the European Union (EU) to promote international collaboration for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Key initiatives include the implementation of a training programme for the development of digital skills – including telemedicine, telemonitoring and e-health tools – aimed at health professionals, patients and citizens. The project will also promote digital collaboration within and between cancer centres in various clinical contexts and establish an integrated framework for the remote monitoring of cancer patients across Europe, as well as establishing three pilot clinical studies focused on the various areas of oncology patient follow-up in order to assess the impact and potential benefits of introducing telemedicine tools to support the follow-up of this group of patients
With the expected increase in cancer cases in Europe and inequalities in access to quality care, eCAN Plus will build on the foundations laid by the first eCAN Joint Action , with the aim of accelerating digital transformation in the context of oncology, improving interoperability, and access to and exchange of health data in compliance with European regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
In this joint action, Portugal is represented by SPMS alongside the Azores Oncology Centre, IPATIMUP and the Portuguese Oncology Institutes of Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon, enabling stronger collaboration both nationally and across Europe. This European joint-effort aims to harmonise guidelines and decision-making processes, support prevention measures and cancer care, and optimise the primary and secondary use of health data, ultimately reinforcing the National Health Service.
The eCAN Plus action reinforces SPMS’s commitment to the health digital transformation, driving the creation of a more integrated, secure and efficient digital ecosystem. This initiative ensures Portugal’s active participation in European digital health strategies, marking an important step towards guaranteeing excellence and equity in cancer care in Portugal and Europe, while also contributing to the advancement of digital transformation and promotion of innovation within the health sector.
Disclaimer: The eCAN Plus action is co-funded by the European Union, EU4Health Program 2021-2027 under the Grant Agreement Nr 101219434. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
