How Joint Actions Are Shaping the Future of Cancer Care

In this episode of Europe Talks Cancer Robbe Saesen and Marie Delnord from the eCAN Plus coordination team at Sciensano, Belgium, will explain why cross-border collaboration and digital transformation have become essential in modern cancer care.The episode dives into how eCAN Plus supports cancer centres across Europe in implementing telemedicine solutions, virtual tumour boards, and secure health data exchange systems. The guests discuss how lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote healthcare and why initiatives such as the European Health Data Space are creating new opportunities for patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers alike.Listeners will learn how digital tools can: Improve access to specialised cancer care regardless of geography  Support clinicians in complex decision-making  Enable remote consultations and home monitoring for patients  Facilitate collaboration between healthcare professionals across countries  Strengthen survivorship care and cancer prevention efforts The conversation also addresses one of the major challenges facing Europe today: inequalities in cancer care between countries and regions. With more than 40 centres and close to 400 patients involved, eCAN Plus aims to reduce disparities by supporting capacity building, training, and knowledge sharing — particularly in countries where digital health infrastructure is still developing.Robbe and Marie also discuss the importance of balancing innovation with patient safety, ethical data use, privacy protection, and compliance with European regulations such as GDPR, the AI Act, and the European Health Data Space framework.Finally, the episode looks ahead to the long-term vision of eCAN Plus: a future where cancer patients across Europe can access high-quality, multidisciplinary care more quickly and more easily, regardless of where they live.This episode offers an accessible introduction to how European collaboration, digital health, and data-driven innovation are helping shape the future of cancer care.eCAN Plus is (Co-)funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.