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The EUnetCCC Cancer Prevention Hub: a framework for integrating personalized prevention into Comprehensive Cancer Centres

July 16, 2026

The EUnetCCC Cancer Prevention Hub: a framework for integrating personalized prevention into Comprehensive Cancer Centres

The EUnetCCC Cancer Prevention Hub is being developed as a strategic framework designed to integrate personalized primary and secondary prevention into the structure and function of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCCs) across Europe.

As cancer systems increasingly evolve beyond treatment-focused models, the initiative positions prevention as a core pillar of comprehensive cancer care, connecting clinical practice, public health, education, and research within a unified and patient-centered approach.

While CCCs have traditionally focused on diagnosis and treatment, growing emphasis is now being placed on their role in prevention and early intervention. The Cancer Prevention Hub responds to this need by providing a scalable and adaptable model capable of embedding prevention into routine oncology care.

As part of this work, EUnetCCC hosted its first Work Package 8 (WP8) Teaming Workshop at Centre Léon Bérard (CLB) in Lyon, bringing together prevention leaders from France, Romania, Latvia and Iceland to further develop the Prevention Hub concept. The workshop marked an important step towards a shared European vision for personalised cancer prevention and demonstrated how multidisciplinary collaboration can accelerate implementation across diverse healthcare systems.

To capture the key outcomes of this milestone, we invite you to watch the Case Study: "Personalised Cancer Prevention in Europe – The Role of Prevention Hubs", featuring insights from:

Dr. Delia Nicoară (IOCN, Romania) – EUnetCCC and the Future of Personalised Prevention
Prof. Béatrice Fervers (Centre Léon Bérard, France) The Role of Centre Léon Bérard in Cancer Prevention
Marie Raymond (UNICANCER, France)Activities of the Personalised Prevention Task within EUnetCCC
Dr. Ioan Pop (IOCN, Romania)  – The Prevention Hub Concept Explained
 
Watch the Case Study video 

A structured and tiered approach to prevention

At the centre of the Prevention Hub is a structured and tiered model of intervention, enabling cancer centres to deliver prevention strategies tailored to individual risk profiles and broader population needs.

The framework is built around two complementary dimensions:

- primary prevention, focused on reducing cancer risk before disease onset, and
- secondary prevention, aimed at early detection and timely intervention.

Together, these components create continuity across the prevention pathway, from risk identification and behavioural modification to screening and early diagnosis.

Personalization through risk stratification

A defining element of the Prevention Hub is its emphasis on personalized risk assessment, integrating multiple determinants of cancer risk into a comprehensive prevention strategy.

These include:

Genetic predisposition
Environmental exposures
Lifestyle and behavioural factors

By combining these dimensions, the model supports risk stratification at both individual and population levels, enabling targeted prevention strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

This personalized framework aims to improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of prevention activities within CCCs.

From risk assessment to integrated intervention pathways

The Prevention Hub translates risk evaluation into coordinated and actionable prevention pathways integrated within the workflows of cancer centres.

These pathways include:

Lifestyle and behavioural interventions, such as smoking cessation, nutrition optimization, and physical activity programs
Risk-adapted screening and early detection strategies
Preventive clinical interventions where appropriate

Embedding these components into routine patient interaction helps position prevention as an integral part of comprehensive cancer care rather than a separate or fragmented activity.

Education and community engagement as core pillars

Beyond clinical prevention strategies, the Prevention Hub recognizes the essential role of education and community engagement in achieving sustainable impact.

Within this framework, cancer centres function not only as treatment providers, but also as:

Educational platforms delivering evidence-based information to patients and families
Community connectors engaging broader populations, including high-risk groups
Catalysts for behavioural change and long-term prevention strategies

This outward-facing dimension extends the role of CCCs beyond hospital-based care and strengthens their contribution to population health.

Enabling transformation across European cancer systems

The implementation of the Prevention Hub contributes to a broader transformation of cancer systems across Europe by:

Embedding prevention into CCC governance and institutional strategy
Promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across clinical and public health disciplines
Supporting data-driven prevention and decision-making
Aligning prevention activities with European priorities in cancer control and healthcare sustainability

Importantly, the framework is designed to remain adaptable across diverse healthcare systems, allowing each centre to implement prevention strategies according to local realities while maintaining a shared European vision.

Towards a prevention-oriented network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres

By adopting the Cancer Prevention Hub framework, CCCs contribute to the development of a coordinated European ecosystem focused on prevention-oriented cancer care.

This collaborative network supports:

Exchange of best practices
Harmonization of prevention strategies
Reduction of disparities in access to preventive care across Europe

The long-term objective is to establish prevention as a standard, measurable, and impactful component of comprehensive cancer care within European cancer centres.

Looking ahead

The EUnetCCC Cancer Prevention Hub provides a scalable and forward-looking model for integrating personalized prevention into Comprehensive Cancer Centres across Europe.

By aligning risk assessment, targeted interventions, early detection pathways, and community engagement within a unified framework, the initiative supports the transition toward prevention-oriented cancer systems capable of reducing cancer burden and improving population health outcomes.

Want to know more?

Discover how the EUnetCCC Prevention Task is advancing personalised cancer prevention and shaping the development of Cancer Prevention Hubs across Europe by exploring the Prevention section of our website here.

To continue the conversation, join us at the EUnetCCC Annual Meeting in Lisbon, where dedicated prevention sessions will showcase the latest progress, collaborative initiatives and future directions for implementing Cancer Prevention Hubs across Europe.

If you haven't registered yet, you can secure your place here: https://phormuladev.com/eunetccc2026/.