The Centre for Innovation in Medicine, together with 15 European partners, officially launched the EU4Health-funded project “Beating Cancer Inequalities through Literacy in Europe” (CURTAIN) in Câmpulung and Lerești, Romania on 9-11 September.
The in-person gathering of research organisations, national health institutes, NGOs, medical centres, and multi-stakeholder associations marked the start of a strong collaboration to reduce cancer inequalities across Europe.
Over its 3-year duration, CURTAIN will focus on improving cancer health literacy: enabling citizens to access, understand, and use reliable health information for prevention, early detection, and treatment. The project seeks to address persistent inequalities between Eastern and Western Europe, urban and rural areas, and across vulnerable socio-economic groups.
CURTAIN Objectives
The project aligns with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the Cancer Mission by prioritising cancer literacy as a key element in reducing inequalities and improving outcomes. Specifically, CURTAIN will:
- Develop and consolidate accessible resources to empower citizens to make informed health decisions.
- Enhance the ability of patients to navigate healthcare systems, understand treatment options, and actively participate in their care.
- Foster collaboration with local and regional stakeholders to strengthen alignment with European cancer prevention and care strategies.
All.Can International’s Role
As a key partner, All.Can International will lead on:
- Developing a Virtual Cancer Literacy Library: a user-friendly digital platform centralising reliable resources for both professionals and the public.
- Co-creating policy recommendations: producing actionable policy briefs with strategies for advancing cancer literacy at local, national, and European levels.
- Designing a capacity-building roadmap: supporting sustainable cancer literacy initiatives across European countries, ensuring long-term impact and adaptability
This role builds on All.Can’s long-standing mission to improve the efficiency of cancer care by making sure resources are accessible, equitable, and impactful.
Community Engagement
During the kick-off meeting, partners engaged with local and regional authorities in Lerești, raising awareness about the project’s objectives and building the foundation for future collaboration. Activities also included an art exhibition – The Art of Networks – showcasing community stories through artwork, and a friendly walking football match symbolising teamwork and resilience.
A Shared Vision
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Marius Geantă, Project Coordinator from the Centre for Innovation in Medicine, highlighted:
“Cancer literacy is essential for equality, resilience, and for saving lives. Together, with 15 European partners, we will co-create new tools and knowledge to ensure every person has the right information to prevent cancer, detect it early, and access quality care.”
Tomas Kniuķšta, Project Officer at the Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), added:
“CURTAIN has a clear vision of how to make an impact on increasing health literacy on cancer in local communities across numerous countries. This is supported by a well-developed plan and strong consortium experience.”
Looking Ahead
The CURTAIN project represents a major step forward in addressing inequalities in cancer care across Europe. By closing knowledge gaps and empowering citizens, it aims to ensure that knowledge saves lives – regardless of geography or socio-economic background.
All.Can International is proud to contribute to this effort and will continue to update on milestones and progress throughout the project’s journey.
The CURTAIN website will be launched in the coming weeks – stay tuned!