Cancerchallenge.eu - Finland leads the way to identify ideas to conquer cancer

The new national cancer challenge launches on World Cancer Day February 4, 2020. All citizens can participate by proposing how prevention, treatment, and life with and after cancer could be improved.

The European Union has selected cancer as one of five mission areas. This new approach in EU aims to accomplish concrete measurable improvements through research and innovation actions.

“Diagnosis, treatment and survival rates are improving all the time. However, we need to do more. That’s why we have launched the cancer mission to set ambitious research goals and to find priorities. It is important for us to specify the mission goals also by engaging stakeholders and citizens”, says Research Comissioner Mariya Gabriel.

Finland leads the way in Europe in engaging the public in planning the cancer mission through cancerchallenge.eu – a cancer challenge that launches 9 am on Tuesday, February 4, as a World Cancer Day event in Eurooppasali in Helsinki. Shortlisted proposals will be pitched to a panel of patients and experts and best ideas awarded at the final Monday March 16, and utilized in planning EU’s Mission Cancer. “I’m excited about a competition like this. We shall take the results seriously, and I’m sure they will inspire us as we move ahead”, states comissioner Gabriel.

In addition to the #MissionCancer EU is initiating the formation of Europe’s Cancer Plan, which the health commissioner Stella Kyriakides will announce later on World Cancer Day at the European Parliament.

Finland is showing the way also in national integration of cancer care and research. The National Cancer Centre FICAN established in the fall is just taking its first steps. FICAN aims to harmonize treatment practices, promote equal treatment nationally, and ensures the conditions for cancer research necessary for high quality prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. FICAN is formed as regional centers in conjunction with university hospitals and a coordination center at Helsinki University Hospital HUS.

Cancerchallenge.eu kick-off

Tuesday, February 4 from 9 am to 11 am

Eurooppasali, Malminkatu 16, Helsinki

Open event, coffee is served

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Cancerchallenge.eu final

Monday, March 16 from 5 pm to 8 pm

Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4, Helsinki

Open event

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At this relaxed event competitors shortlisted by a panel consisting of patients and experts pitch their ideas followed by selection of awarding in citizen and organization categories. Panelist and stand-up comedian Anitta Ahonen will perform and the event is hosted by Saimi Hoyer.

Cancerchallenge.eu is organised by University of Helsinki, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, National Cancer Center FICAN, Association of Cancer Patients in Finland, Cancer Society of Finland, Academy of Finland, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and Ministry of Education and Culture.

Twitter: @EuropeCan #EUCancerChallenge #MissionCancer #EUCancerPlan

Contact and further information:

Communications Manager Anu Korhonen

iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship

University of Helsinki

Tel: 050 3102779

E-mail: anu.k.korhonen@helsinki.fi