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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Europe, and early detection is key to saving lives.

Today, advances in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are opening new possibilities to make breast cancer screening more accurate, efficient, and accessible. The BreastSCan project brings together leading hospitals, research centres, and technology partners across Europe to harness these opportunities.

BreastSCan aims to create one of the largest and most diverse breast cancer imaging datasets ever compiled in Europe. By uniting 20 partners (including 14 major data providers) from nine countries, the project will collect over one million breast images — including mammograms, ultrasound, and MRI scans — from more than 250,000 imaging procedures. This will also include at least 30,000 images from 7,500 confirmed breast cancer cases, ensuring that the dataset can be used to develop and test AI tools for breast cancer screening in eight use cases: image preprocessing, image quality, breast density classification, lesion detection/characterisation, and breast cancer risk stratification.

The project is closely linked to the European Cancer Imaging Initiative through the EUCAIM project, contributing directly to Cancer Image Europe — the European platform for cancer imaging data. By building this dataset in line with European standards and legal frameworks, BreastSCan will not only make valuable data available but also ensure that it is interoperable, secure, and ethically managed.

By building this dataset in line with European standards and legal frameworks, BreastSCan will not only make valuable data available but also ensure that it is interoperable, secure, and ethically managed.

In the short term, BreastSCan will set the foundations:

  • Establishing common guidelines for breast cancer imaging to improve data quality and consistency across Europe.
  • Integrating existing datasets into the Cancer Image Europe platform, so researchers and clinicians can start using them right away.
  • Providing training for healthcare professionals on how to work with AI tools and advanced imaging technologiesBuilding a robust, standardised technical infrastructure to enable safe and seamless data sharing across borders.

In the mid-term, these foundations will enable concrete advances:

  • Hospitals will increasingly use AI to support breast cancer diagnostics, making detection faster, more accurate, and more personalised.
  • The dataset will expand to include more European countries, capturing a wide diversity of populations and healthcare contexts.
  • Clear policies and legal frameworks will ensure patient data is handled with the highest standards of privacy, security, and transparency, building trust among patients and healthcare providers alike.

In the long term, BreastSCan will leave a lasting legacy:

  • A unique, pan-European dataset will be available to developers and researchers, strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in AI-driven cancer research compared to the U.S. and China.
  • New AI tools will help detect cancers earlier, leading to better treatment outcomes, higher survival rates, and improved quality of life for patients.
  • The platform will remain open for continuous updates, integration of new cancer types, and adoption of next-generation AI solutions, ensuring sustainable innovation in cancer care.

Through combining cutting-edge technology with European collaboration, BreastSCan is paving the wayfor earlier detection, better care, and ultimately, fewer lives lost to breast cancer.

Join the EUCAIM Consortium

Open Call for New Beneficiaries

We’re inviting new partners to enhance our pan-European infrastructure for cancer images and artificial intelligence.

Whether you’re a data holder with valuable cancer images or an innovator developing AI tools for precision medicine, this is your chance to contribute to a groundbreaking project.

Apply by 10 June 2024!

Find out more

Open Call Webinar

We recently hosted a webinar with more details for prospective applicants to the open call. A recording is available.

WATCH THE RECORDING

Our open Call for new collaborators
launches in April 2024

Opportunities for data holders & AI developers to contribute await! Let‘s join forces to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment

Be the first to know and apply!

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SAVE THE DATE
March 14, 10:00-11:30 aM CET

DISCOVER THE CANCER IMAGE EUROPE PLATFORM

TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATION WEBINAR

Explore the potential for AI-driven cancer care advancements!
Learn how to access and utilize our federated cancer image repository. The webinar is for AI Innovators & Data Providers interested in the platform and will feature an introduction to EUCAIM & Cancer Image Europe and a demonstration of data exploration & access.

Survey Invitation

Join Leading Experts In Shaping AI In Cancer

EUCAIM is looking for your feedback! We have recently published a Stakeholder Survey in order to reach out to potential end-users and stakeholders. We believe that your insights could significantly contribute to understanding the expectations of potential users and identifying the essential aspects that stakeholders find crucial for future engagement and collaboration with the platform.

Therefore, we would like to invite you to participate in the Stakeholder Survey about the Cancer Image Europe platform.

Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Your participation is crucial to the success of this project, and we deeply appreciate your expertise in shaping the future of cancer imaging and treatment.

Participate