Across Europe, nearly half a million people have lived through cancer during their childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. How will the EU4Health project change lives?
While advances in treatment have increased survival rates, many young survivors continue to face long-term physical, emotional, and social challenges. The EU4Health programme is intensifying its efforts to enhance the quality of life for these individuals through several targeted projects.
EU4Health:Building a stronger survivor community
One part of this journey that stood out was the EU-CAYAS-NET project, recently completed under the EU4Health initiative. This project built a pan-European network of young cancer survivors and developed a comprehensive knowledge centre and interactive platform.
The platform has grown into a vibrant virtual community with over 760 participants from more than 28 countries. It is a space where survivors can connect with healthcare professionals, helping to reduce isolation, improve access to resources, and promote peer support. A key part of the initiative was the recruitment of 55 survivor Ambassadors from 29 countries, helping to expand the network and amplify the voices of those with lived experience.
Hosting over 570 resources in multiple EU languages, the platform focuses on topics identified as priorities by survivors themselves. The project also hosted webinars, training sessions, focus groups, and online events, all designed to foster connection, education, and empowerment. Many of these sessions are still available on the project’s YouTube channel.
YARN
Though EU-CAYAS-NET has officially ended, its mission continues through a new project called YARN (European Youth Cancer Network). Launched in July 2025 and set to run for 36 months, YARN will build upon the work of EU-CAYAS-NET and the OACCUs (Outdoor Against Cancer Connects Us) project. The aim is to strengthen peer networks further and improve access to tailored information and support for young people affected by cancer.
YARN focuses primarily on emotional well-being, offering peer visits, training programmes, and digital tools. It will also introduce exercise and lifestyle programmes to support mental and physical health. The project pays special attention to the needs of young people dealing with relapse, metastatic disease, or the long-term side effects of cancer treatment.
Upcoming projects
In October 2025, two additional EU4Health projects will launch further to enhance psychosocial care for children and adolescents with cancer.
The IMPACT-EU project will focus on creating Europe-wide standards for psychosocial support throughout the cancer journey. It will conduct research to inform evidence-based guidelines and provide training to healthcare professionals to deliver patient-centred care. The project will also pilot new screening and therapeutic tools in five European centres to improve the integration of psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, ON-COME will address the mind-body-environment relationship in paediatric cancer care, emphasising both psychosocial and nutritional wellbeing. The project aims to standardise best practices, ensure equitable access to services, and introduce digital solutions to personalise care. Training programmes will be developed for healthcare providers, and pilot services will be tested in clinical settings across the EU.
These initiatives show how the EU is committed to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer, not only during treatment but throughout their lives.