Kick Off Meeting for Horizon Project on Cancer Prevention Interventions Held by Tobacco Control Unit

The Tobacco Control Unit is organizing the kick-off meeting for the PIECES project, an ambitious project funded by the European Union under the Horizon program. The project focuses on Implementation Science for Cancer Prevention Interventions. This innovative initiative aims to develop, evaluate, and disseminate a cancer-specific methodological implementation framework known as the Primary Cancer Prevention Implementation Toolkit (PCP-IT), which focuses on 6 modifiable cancer risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, sun and UV exposure, human papilloma virus, nutrition, and physical activity.

The meeting takes place on June 22nd and 23rd in Barcelona (Spain) and is led by Dr. Esteve Fernández (project coordinator) and Dr. Cristina Martínez (scientific coordinator), with Clara Mercader (project manager). The PIECES project brings together a consortium of 15 members from various countries with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. These countries have a combined population of up to 77.7 million people. The project, funded with over 7.7 million euros, provides an ideal naturalistic laboratory for studying and improving the scaling-up and implementation of PCP programs.

The main objective of the project is to provide an evidence-based systematic process through a digital tool that facilitates the identification, selection, and adaptation of PCP programs, as well as the development of evidence-based implementation strategies that address local barriers and limitations. The tool will include a comprehensive repository of PCP programs, including Theories of Change, along with materials aimed to adapt these programs to local needs and cultural limitations.

To ensure the project’s success, a comparative case study will be conducted at multiple sites to evaluate and optimize implementation outcomes. Additionally, an in-depth realist evaluation using various sociological theories will provide insights into the processes by which these outcomes are achieved.

Given the high and growing global burden of cancer, the implementation of effective primary cancer prevention programs is crucial. However, many evidence-based programs that have shown effectiveness in controlled environments often face difficulties when implemented in real-world settings. The PIECES project aims to overcome these challenges and pave the way for successful cancer prevention interventions on a global scale.

The ICO team eagerly anticipates the results and impact of the PIECES project, as it has the potential to revolutionize cancer prevention efforts and improve public health outcomes at the European level.