On Wednesday, 25 September, the global research community marks World Cancer Research Day, A reminder of the collective effort needed to improve outcomes for people living with cancer. At the heart of this effort are not only established experts, but also a new generation of researchers who are shaping the future of oncology care.
Within the EU-funded Horizon Europe project MyPath, several young scientists and clinicians are contributing to the development of a novel digital solution for patient-centred cancer care. Their work embodies the spirit of this year’s World Cancer Research Day theme: research that brings tangible benefits to patients.
Research has shown that cancer patients’ active involvement in decisions about their care can significantly improve outcomes. Yet, despite strong evidence, this patient-centred approach has not yet been systematically embedded in clinical practice.
The MyPath project addresses this gap by creating electronic patient-centred care pathways, tailored to individual patients, incorporating real-time communication of symptoms, needs and preferences. By adapting and integrating these pathways into cancer centres across Europe, MyPath is translating a proven concept into everyday reality.
Several members of the MyPath consortium have shared how their research is contributing:
These perspectives highlight not only the ambition of MyPath, but also the dedication of the next generation of cancer researchers to making care more respectful, responsive, and personalised.