TIC Salut i Social Foundation helps bring evidence based cancer prevention into practice

How can a cancer prevention programme that has already been proven effective be successfully implemented across different settings and contexts? This is one of the questions addressed by PIECES, a European project in which the TIC Salut i Social Foundation is participating to facilitate the adaptation and implementation of evidence based primary cancer prevention programmes.

Drawing on the expertise of the TIC Salut i Social Foundation’s research team, the European consortium has developed a digital solution, or toolkit, structured as a step by step guide to support professionals in implementing primary cancer prevention programmes. The tool guides users through six key steps required to plan and deliver interventions while addressing the practical challenges of implementation in real world settings.

As Jordi Piera, Head of Research at the Foundation, explains: “Beyond being a practical tool, the toolkit also serves as a learning and capacity building resource. It helps professionals understand how to implement programmes effectively while strengthening their skills, knowledge and confidence.”

Toolkit validation and early findings

One of the digital solution’s features is an open online repository containing more than 120 evidence based cancer prevention programmes that can be adapted to the European context. The interventions focus on six key areas: tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity, nutrition, human papillomavirus infection, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For each area, the repository provides information on the supporting scientific evidence, the implementation model, available materials to support delivery, and contact details for the development teams.

The toolkit is currently being tested by 32 multidisciplinary teams across eight European countries in settings including hospitals, primary care centres, schools, universities, businesses, social organisations and public institutions. The aim is to assess its usefulness, refine its operation where necessary, and identify potential improvements before it becomes publicly available at the end of the project in May 2027.

Initial feedback has been encouraging. Preliminary results show strong engagement from participating teams, more structured planning, and better adaptation of programmes to local contexts. The pilot testing has also highlighted areas for improvement related to the tool’s usability, process flexibility, team workload, and coordination among stakeholders.

These findings were recently presented by Jordi Piera and Caridad Pontes at the 11th International Digital Public Health Conference (DPH2026), held in Barcelona from 24 to 26 June.

The PIECES project began in 2023 and is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101104390.