Every person diagnosed with lung cancer deserves a future defined by early detection, personalised care, and the power of data-driven innovation. That was the message delivered by Debra Montague, President of Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE), as she opened the IDERHA Public Forum on Monday, 5 May, with a clear call to action:
 Improved access to health data can transform outcomes for people living with lung cancer.

As a proud partner in the IDERHA project, LuCE is committed to ensuring that the patient perspective is integrated at every stage of this ambitious initiative.

Why It Matters

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Europe, responsible for 20% of all cancer fatalities. One of the greatest challenges is late diagnosis, which limits treatment options and drastically lowers survival rates. To change this trajectory, early detection is critical — and health data holds the key.

About the IDERHA Project

IDERHA — funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) — is working to create a secure, scalable European Health Data Space (EHDS) infrastructure that enables more personalised and proactive healthcare. By harnessing AI and machine learning, the project aims to build a platform that supports earlier diagnosis, targeted treatment, and shared decision-making — starting with lung cancer.

This effort directly aligns with the goals of the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, positioning IDERHA as a major force in European healthcare innovation.

At last week’s events in Berlin, LuCE’s EU Project Manager Anniina Hentinen participated in both the Public Forum and the Annual Consortium Meeting, where she presented on the importance of embedding patient voices in research and system design.

Together with the European Patients’ Forum, LuCE co-leads the IDERHA Patient Advisory Board, helping ensure that real-world patient experiences drive the development of real-world solutions.

Looking Ahead

LuCE extends its heartfelt thanks to all IDERHA project partners — patients, researchers, clinicians, and institutions — for their commitment to collaboration and innovation in the fight against lung cancer.

 Learn more about the IDERHA project here: www.iderha.org