The Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) will install and support the systems for 49 telemonitoring pilots in 22 cancer centres and organisations across Europe. The pilots are part of eCAN Plus, a European Joint Action that aims to make digital health a routine part of cancer prevention and care. Six Cypriot organisations are taking part, covering research, technology, clinical care and patient support.
What eCAN Plus sets out to do
The full title of the joint action is “Strengthening the digital capacities of cancer centres in the European Union to improve prevention and care”. Its goal is to bring the benefits of digital health to patients and health professionals.
The project will develop a framework for testing and piloting digital tools safely. It also aims to propose practices for:
- reshaping the digital health ecosystem
- integrating telemedicine into cancer care
- sharing health data securely across borders
It also promotes equal access to digital health services for cancer care.
The project in numbers
- €25 million total budget
- 81 organisations from 23 countries
- Runs from 2025 to 2029
- 49 pilot implementations in 22 centres and organisations across Europe
eCAN Plus builds on the earlier eCAN Joint Action and seeks to expand the use of eHealth in oncology. It is co-funded by the European Union through the EU4Health programme.
The Cypriot participants
The organisations taking part from Cyprus are:
- the National eHealth Authority
- the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK)
- the CYENS Centre of Excellence
- the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre
- PASYKAF, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends
- the University of Cyprus Medical School
TEPAK leads Work Package 8
Cypriot organisations are involved in several of the project’s work packages. TEPAK leads Work Package 8, which is developing a comprehensive European framework to strengthen remote monitoring of cancer patients.
The framework uses a mobile application and wearable technologies to support real-time patient monitoring and personalised care. TEPAK is also responsible for the technical infrastructure. It will install and provide technical support for the systems used in all 49 pilot implementations, which cover all three categories of pilot studies.
Digital tools built around people
Digital health can support cancer care in practical ways. It can make communication between patients and health professionals easier, allow patients to be monitored remotely and help specialist centres share knowledge.
eCAN Plus is exploring how these tools can become part of everyday care and patient follow-up. Its work covers every stage of the disease, from prevention and active treatment to palliative care and follow-up after illness.
Telemedicine pilots at different stages of care
The telemedicine pilots involve three groups of patients:
- patients in active treatment
- patients being monitored after illness
- patients receiving palliative care
The aim is to understand how remote care and monitoring can meet patients’ needs and support the work of health professionals.
Training patients and professionals
Using technology well depends on knowledge and trust. For this reason, eCAN Plus is running a comprehensive training programme to build digital skills and digital health literacy. The programme is aimed at citizens, patients and health professionals, so that they can understand and use digital tools for cancer care more effectively.
Preparing for the European Health Data Space
Another priority is the secure exchange of health data across borders. The project aims to help cancer centres prepare for the European Health Data Space Regulation.
Its work includes:
- assessing how ready cancer centres are for HealthData@EU, the platform that supports secure access to health data for secondary use, such as research and innovation
- drawing up a plan for the future integration of digital cancer applications into EU health systems
- developing a strategic plan to implement the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format, and possibly integrate it into these applications, so that health data can be exchanged across borders through the MyHealth@EU infrastructure
Cyprus in a European network
Cyprus’s participation creates opportunities to share expertise and work with European partners. By bringing together different specialisms and experience, the Cypriot organisations are contributing to the shared effort to make digital innovation meet the real needs of people living with cancer.
More information is available at ecanplus.eu, with details of Work Package 8 at ecanplus.eu/wp8.
Co-funded by the European Union (EU4Health Programme Grant No. 101219434). Views and opinions expressed are 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.
