As global communities mark World Cancer Day on Feb. 4, the push to combat lung cancer in Europe is intensifying with the impending launch of the European Lung Cancer Screening Alliance initiative.
This alliance, making its official debut at the European Cancer Screening and Early Detection Policy Summit on Feb. 17, builds on the impactful labour of the SOLACE (Strengthening the Screening of Lung Cancer in Europe) project.
This precursor campaign has been ongoing since April of 2023 with €9.7 million in backing from the European Union. It is comprised of 37 partner organizations from 15 countries that have been working to expedite the rollout of low-dose CT lung cancer screening programs throughout the continent.
Since its launch, SOLACE has established clinical guidelines, quality standards, training programs, a knowledge hub, and cost-effectiveness tools. Additionally, the program has evaluated national needs, developed tailored plans, and launched multiple pilots targeting underserved populations. It will conclude in March, handing off to the European Lung Cancer Screening Alliance (ELCSA) for long-term sustainability.
At the summit this month, experts and stakeholders will present the alliance as a lasting network that advances prevention while standardizing guidelines and training. Moreover, it will make continued contributions to the shared knowledge hub and drive policy advocacy at EU and national levels. It brings together the expertise of nominated representatives from professional societies, national delegates and patient advocates from organizations such as the European Lung Foundation and Lung Cancer Europe.
Members of SOLACE will also be highlighting recent achievements at the 2026 European Congress of Radiology in Vienna in early March.
In recent months, the organization has been assisting with Ireland’s Lung Health Check pilot program launched in March last year through logistical support. It is the largest lung screening initiative in the country’s history, utilizing low-dose CT imaging technology.
Emerging non-invasive technologies such as Breath Diagnostics’ OneBreath, currently in advanced development stages with validation from multiple clinical trials involving over 800 patients, hold potential to complement imaging-based programs in the future. OneBreath works by analyzing a single exhaled breath for volatile organic compounds linked to early-stage lung cancer.
As the three-year duration of SOLACE comes to a close, ELCSA promises to help Europe maintain unified momentum and save more lives through precision screening endeavours.
Read more: Prestigious medtech intelligence firm recognizes Breath Diagnostics for innovation
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