Education aimed at increasing international collaboration and decreasing inequalities

Abstract

Educational initiatives in cancer research have to align with the needs of patients, individuals at risk, healthcare systems and public health organisations. The above interests demand strong translational interactions between basic research, clinical/prevention research and entrepreneurship. The resulting synergy between these three entities is expected to stimulate identification of unresolved issues in cancer biology, as well as unmet needs in diagnostics, treatment and prevention. It will also encourage the development of international research collaborations and, in turn, improve access to innovative research infrastructures. Education and dissemination of knowledge and technologies must be a cornerstone of any future European mission‐oriented approach to cancer, as it will ensure that new cancer treatments reach all patients within the European Union, and also help reduce gross inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality. A large number of educational institutions ranging from local universities to pan‐European organisations have developed excellent educational activities. However, a cancer mission will highlight additional roles for higher education that will complement and provide novel approaches. Educational and training activities should target the general public (dissemination) for primary cancer prevention, as well as the next generation of cancer researchers in basic and clinical research all over Europe. The experiences of patients are also needed to improve health‐related quality‐of‐life and outcomes research. A mission approach to cancer would enhance the exchange of researchers within Europe and worldwide, and prioritise collaborations between Western/Central and Eastern Europe countries. The Comprehensive Cancer Centres ( CCC s) will be crucial to train scientific staff in established centres as well as in candidate centres aspiring to join networks of CCC s. In addition, CCC s will have an important role to play by offering educational programmes for the next generation of clinical/research leaders.

Towards a cancer mission in Horizon Europe: recommendations

“…Education must cover all components of the cancer research/care/prevention continuum and be accessible to researchers and cancer specialists from all EU countries to reach the goals of the mission on cancer [87]. Support primary and secondary prevention with a focus on individuals with modifiable risk.…”

Strategies to decrease inequalities in cancer therapeutics, care and prevention

“…Today, there is a need for educational actions to decrease inequalities in cancer therapy, care and prevention across Europe and worldwide [ 43 ]. The needs range from informing the general public about cancer risks and possible lifestyle improvements to acting on them to reach out with best practices to patients, their close relatives, healthcare staff who treat cancer and scientists.…”

International Research Collaboration During the Pandemic: Team Formation, Challenges, Strategies and Achievements of the African Translational Research Group

“…While some studies have examined the factors that trigger cross-country research collaboration (Plotnikova & Rake, 2014), others have explored international research collaboration in higher education (Milman, 2021;Taras et al, 2013), and its structures and team dynamics (Bagshaw et al, 2007;Garg & Padhi, 2001). Researchers have also sought to understand who researchers choose to collaborate with (Iglič et al, 2017) including industry or university research collaborations (Mascarenhas et al, 2018) as well as the effects of such international research collaborations (Ernberg, 2019).…”