SHIELD participated in the Early Screening & Hereditary Cancer Awareness Network session at Athens Digital Health Week, held from 16–20 February 2026 in Athens.
The session brought together Cancer Mission projects committed to advancing early detection and improving outcomes for individuals at increased genetic risk of cancer. It also marked the kick-off meeting of the cluster, representing an important first step toward defining common priorities and strengthening structured collaboration among participating initiatives.
Discussions focused on several key areas of shared interest, including high-risk assessment methodologies, data sharing frameworks, and the secondary use of health data. Partners explored collaboration opportunities around UNCAN.eu, as well as the exploitation of European high-performance computing capacities such as EuroHPC and the Slovenian AI Factory to support advanced analytics and AI-driven tools. Addressing practical challenges was equally central, with exchanges on patient recruitment strategies, reducing participant burden, and minimising attrition in screening and clinical programmes.
A strong emphasis was placed on co-creation with patients and families, particularly in the development of clear, accessible, and meaningful communication strategies. Ensuring that research outputs translate into tangible benefits for citizens remains a core commitment of the cluster. In this context, implementation science and knowledge valorisation were identified as guiding principles for future work, supporting the effective uptake of innovations into healthcare systems and policy frameworks.
By engaging actively in cluster activities and cross-project dialogue, SHIELD continues to support a coordinated European approach to tackling hereditary cancers through digital innovation, data-driven insights, and patient-centred strategies.
