The Missions
The European Union’s Missions are commitments to solve major societal challenges. As an integral part of the Horizon Europe programme, each Mission will operate as a portfolio of actions, such as research projects, policy measures, or even legislative initiatives, to achieve a measurable goal that could not be achieved through individual actions.
Mission Cancer
The overall goal of the Mission on Cancer has been formulated as: “By 2030, more than 3 million lives saved, living longer and better”. This is consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goal (“SDG”) 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. The target of this SDG for non-communicable diseases for 2030 is “to reduce by one third premature mortality through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being”. The Mission in this area will help set common goals aiming to reverse these frightening trends in cancer, through joining efforts across Europe.
The Mission Cancer Helix
The Mission Cancer Helix is led by Prof. Lorraine O’Driscoll, a leading Principal Investigator at the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI), Dublin. TSJCI, Ireland’s first OECI-accredited Cancer Centre, represents an ongoing dynamic collaboration between Trinity College Dublin and St James’s Hospital; Ireland’s largest hospital treating cancer patients.
With the cancer patient always as its focus, TSJCI’s expertise spans fundamental and translational research, through to leading clinical trials. Its research, training and education include causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer -including rare and poorly understood cancers- as well as the continued care and support of cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Its overall mission is to integrate innovative and ground-breaking cancer science with multi-disciplinary, patient-focused clinical care through translation of key research findings into real advances for the benefit of Europe’s 2.6 million people diagnosed with cancer, its 12 million cancer survivors, and its economy.
Scope
Linked closely with the EU Policy on Cancer, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the activities of the Health Helix, the Cancer Helix offers a network of investigators seeking international collaborators in areas including:
- Understanding cancer including its mechanisms, risk factors, comorbidities, and impact
- Preventing what is preventable
- Optimising cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Supporting patients living longer, with better quality-of-life
- Ensuring affordable and equitable access
