EU4HEALTH Archives

New MELODIC Scientific Publication on the Mental Health of Young Adults with Cancer

Kapa3 participates in the new scientific publication of the European MELODIC project, entitled:

“Educational Needs Regarding Mental Health of Professionals Working with Young Adults with Cancer: A European Survey.”

The publication addresses a highly important issue in contemporary cancer care: the educational needs of healthcare professionals working with young adults with cancer, particularly in relation to recognising and supporting mental health concerns.

Young adults experiencing cancer often face complex psychosocial challenges. Diagnosis, treatment, changes in daily life, impact on studies, work, relationships, body image and future planning can deeply affect their mental health and quality of life.

The European study, involving 271 healthcare professionals from 21 countries, highlighted an important gap between professionals’ willingness to support patients and the systematic use of validated assessment tools. While approximately half of the participating professionals reported feeling confident in identifying mental health issues, only a small percentage reported using validated screening tools.

This finding is particularly important. It shows that awareness and professional experience are valuable, but they are not enough on their own. Targeted education, appropriate tools, interdisciplinary collaboration and clear support pathways are needed so that the needs of young adults with cancer can be recognised early and addressed in a comprehensive way.

The message of the publication is clear: the education of healthcare professionals can make a meaningful difference in the early recognition, support and care of young adults with cancer.

At Kapa3, this approach is a core principle of our work. Before every intervention and every support action, there is education, information and empowerment of the people who stand beside patients.

Kapa3 professionals and collaborators are trained, informed and actively involved in European projects such as MELODIC, ensuring that the support provided is evidence-informed, human-centred and meaningful.

Kapa3’s active participation in such scientific initiatives strengthens its role as an organisation that connects research with practice, European knowledge with real patient needs, and education with everyday care.

We are proud of our participation in the MELODIC project and of our contribution to a European effort that highlights the importance of mental health, early recognition and targeted education in cancer care.

More information: https://lnkd.in/e9Pw4epy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fight against cancer.The European Cancer Organisation’s “Harnessing AI for Cancer Care in Europe” report

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fight against cancer, enabling machines to learn, reason, and assist humans in detecting, diagnosing and treating the disease more accurately and efficiently. It works by analysing vast amounts of data, learning patterns, and making predictions or recommendations to support human decision-making.

Cancer care is rapidly transforming with the use of AI, which serves as a powerful tool in prevention, detection, treatment and research of the disease. The European Cancer Organisation’s “Harnessing AI for Cancer Care in Europe” report states that AI has the potential to transform every stage of the cancer pathway. Simultaneously, the report emphasises the need for AI to be used responsibly, by protecting patients, upholding ethical standards, and aligning with European values, to ensure its benefits are delivered fairly and effectively across healthcare systems.

The Promise of AI in Cancer Care

The report highlights several ways AI can improve cancer outcomes across the care pathway. In primary prevention, AI can analyse genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to identify high-risk patients and guide preventive strategies before symptoms appear. For early detection, AI can dramatically speed up screening, reducing test interpretation from days to hours, improving accuracy, and lowering missed diagnoses. In diagnostics, deep-learning models trained on large datasets can detect even the smallest lesions, prioritise urgent cases, and support more precise diagnoses. AI also enables personalised treatment by integrating tumour genomics, imaging data, and real-world outcomes to help clinicians select the most effective therapies for individual patients. Finally, in drug development, AI can identify promising compounds and targets, shortening traditional development cycles and discovering new uses for existing medicines.

Challenges That Cannot Be Ignored

However, the report also highlights significant risks associated with AI in cancer care. Key concerns include regulatory gaps as AI tools advance faster than current rules, making it challenging to ensure they remain safe, accurate, and accountable. Many promising AI systems require further validation in real-world clinical settings, as untested tools could lead to misdiagnoses or unsafe decisions. Bias and inequity are also risks, since AI trained on unrepresentative data may produce less accurate recommendations for specific patient groups. Implementation barriers, such as limited infrastructure, funding, and trained staff, can hinder the integration of AI into everyday healthcare. Finally, trust issues may arise, as both patients and clinicians need to understand and have confidence in AI systems for them to be effectively adopted.

Policy Recommendations: A Roadmap for Safe and Effective Use

To tackle these challenges, the report puts forward four key recommendations. First, it calls for national standards and validation frameworks, including speciality-specific rules and post-market monitoring of AI tools. Second, it emphasises the importance of training and literacy, proposing pan-European AI education to ensure that at least 50% of oncology professionals are confident in using AI by 2030. Third, the report urges robust regulatory guidance and oversight, including EU-wide support for data protection under GDPR, implementation of the AI Act, and strong patient engagement to ensure clinical accountability. Finally, it highlights the need for investment in data infrastructure, leveraging the European Health Data Space to harmonise systems, modernise cancer registries, and build representative datasets that support safe and effective AI deployment.

Why This Matters for Kapa3

Building on these advancements, K3 is preparing to launch its digital assistant, “Myrto”, in 2026. Designed to harness the power of AI, “Myrto” will support patients and healthcare professionals across the cancer care pathway. By integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities with user-friendly guidance, “Myrto” exemplifies K3’s commitment to improving outcomes, streamlining workflows, and empowering both patients and clinicians in Europe’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

To see the full article, please click here.

https://www.europeancancer.org/resources/publications/harnessing-ai-for-cancer-care-in-europe.html

ESMO Highlights the Importance of Prioritising the Fight Against Cancer in the EU4Health 2026 Work Programme

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) submitted its response to the public consultation on the 2026 Annual Work Programme of EU4Health, emphasising the urgent need to make cancer a top priority across Europe. With the number of cancer cases projected to rise from over 4.47 million in 2022 to 5.48 million in 2045, ESMO calls for dedicated EU4Health actions to address this growing challenge.

Among the key areas highlighted by ESMO is the importance of improving accessibility to healthcare based on current medical knowledge and international standards, while adequately monitoring the quality of healthcare services to prevent inequalities across the EU. This approach aligns closely with the mission and activities of Kapa3, which aims to ensure equitable access to health support for all, particularly young adults affected by cancer.

Through its initiatives, Kapa3 actively promotes awareness, supports access to quality healthcare, and works to reduce disparities in health services, reflecting the same commitment emphasised by ESMO in its response to EU4Health.

Kapa3 participation in the MELODIC consortium meeting in Lisbon

We are delighted to announce that Kapa3 had the opportunity to take part in the recent MELODIC consortium meeting, which was held in Lisbon. Although our participation was online, it was in real time, and our team contributed actively to the discussions, which focused on the development of the training program for healthcare professionals and the design of the intervention study, both aiming to support the mental health of young adults living with cancer.

The MELODIC project, funded by the EU4HEALTH program with a total budget of €1.8 million, addresses a critical yet often overlooked issue: the mental health of young adults aged 18–35 living with cancer.

During the meeting, partners exchanged experiences and findings from European research and interviews with healthcare professionals, families, and young adults with cancer. These insights strengthened collaboration and the formulation of strategies for timely psychosocial support.

Next spring, the project will launch the intervention phase, focusing on social prescribing and the use of green and blue spaces—harnessing the power of nature and community to promote well-being.

Kapa3 continues to work closely with its European partners to ensure a meaningful impact on the lives of young adults facing cancer.