Enhancing Cancer Screening Across Europe: A Theory-Based, Multi-Level Evaluation of EUCanScreen

Co-Funded by the European Union. Project: 101162959 — EUCanScreen — EU4H-2023-JA-2-IBA In 2020, there were 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million cancer deaths in EU countries. While screening can enable early detection and better treatment outcomes, access to effective screening varies widely across regions and population groups. Europe's Beating Cancer Plan aims to ensure 90% of eligible EU citizens have access to cancer screening programmes. EUCanScreen (https://www.dypede.gr/eucanscreen/) addresses this challenge through a dual focus: improving existing screening programmes (breast, cervical, colorectal) while supporting implementation of new screening programmes (lung, prostate, gastric) across 29 European countries with 98 partners (https://www.dypede.gr/eucanscreen/partners/) . The Evaluation focuses on three core objectives, each supporting efforts to improve cancer screening implementation and sustainability: Optimisation and Improvement: Systematic monitoring and feedback enabling programme leaders to adapt implementation strategies Accountability: Assessing to what extent EUCanScreen's activities were implemented as planned and intended objectives were met Knowledge Generation: Documenting implementation experience across European healthcare systems for future cancer screening initiatives Moving beyond traditional "black box" evaluation approaches that focus solely on outcomes, this evaluation uses a theory-based approach to explore how and why changes occur. The evaluation uses a mixed methods approach (online surveys, interviews, focus groups, document analysis) tailored to different implementation levels. The evaluation demonstrates trans disciplinarity through systematic involvement of diverse stakeholders as "primary intended users": health policymakers, cancer screening programme managers, healthcare professionals, and researchers. The evaluation assesses six key areas: Support for improvement of existing programmes and implementation of new Cancer Screening programmes Data standardization and monitoring improvements Addressing barriers and promoting equal access to cancer screening Capacity building for organized population-based screening programmes Project "Implementation of cancer screening programs (EUCanScreen)", LU registration no. ZD2024/21709, financed by the EU4Health program of the European Union, Grant agreement no. 101162959. Project ID No.: 101162959, Reg. of LU. Nr. ZD2024/21709 Project implementation: 01.06.2024. – 31.05.2028. Total project funding: 38 749 935 EUR