The BUMPER project —Boosting the Usability of the EU Mobile App for Cancer Prevention— officially concluded with a two-day wrap-up in Brussels on April 7–8, 2025. Marking the end of two years of collaborative work under the EU4Health programme, the project brought together its partners and external stakeholders to reflect on achievements and explore future pathways for digital cancer prevention tools in Europe.
Final Consortium Meeting
On April 7, the project consortium gathered at Le Plaza Hotel for the final internal meeting. Partners from across Europe presented the outcomes of their respective work packages, reviewed project deliverables, and exchanged key lessons learned throughout the two-year initiative. The meeting also featured insightful presentations by Carolina Espina and David Ritchie from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), who provided updates on the forthcoming 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC). This session provided an opportunity for reflection and collective evaluation of BUMPER’s contributions to the design, promotion, and implementation of the EU Mobile App for Cancer Prevention—one of the flagship actions of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
Final Public Event
IThe project’s public closing event took place on April 8 at the same venue, hosted by the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL). The event welcomed key stakeholders from cancer leagues, research institutions, public health organizations, and EU agencies.
After an opening address by ECL’s Dr Wendy Yared and Helena Ros, the day began with a thought-provoking introduction to health literacy presented by Cristiana Fonseca (Portuguese League Against Cancer, LPCC) and Nico Latteur (ECL), setting the stage for two dynamic panel discussions.
The first panel, “Equity in cancer prevention: Health and digital health literacy as social determinants of health”, was moderated by Dr Wendy Yared and featured experts Daniela Giangreco from LILT Milan, Cristina Vaz de Almeida from the Portuguese Society of Health Literacy, Cristiana Fonseca from LPCC, Dr Ana Molina from Fisabio and Amil Družić from ECL Youth Ambassadors. The discussion focused on addressing inequalities in cancer prevention, the role of literacy in bridging gaps, and strategies for engaging underserved populations, particularly youth and vulnerable groups.
The second panel, “BUMPER and the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC)”, moderated by Cristiana Fonseca, brought together researchers Carolina Espina and David Richie from IARC, Dr Hajo Zeeb from BIPS, Helena Ros from ECL and Dr Livia Giordano from CPO Piedmont. The conversation centred around how BUMPER’s work supports the goals and dissemination of the ECAC, the potential of digital tools to scale preventive measures, and ways to integrate science and public health policy better.
A keynote address was delivered by Antonella Canalis of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), highlighting the European Commission’s support for innovative digital health initiatives. The event concluded with remarks from Dr Wendy Yared and a networking lunch, offering a final opportunity for collaboration and exchange.
A step forward in digital cancer prevention
With 14 partners from 11 countries, the BUMPER project has helped lay the groundwork for a user-friendly, evidence-based mobile app designed to support cancer prevention across Europe. As the project concludes, its results will continue to inform the development and promotion of the EU Mobile App for Cancer Prevention.
Stay tuned on BUMPER’s website for access to project deliverables and outcomes.
For further information or inquiries about the project, feel free to reach out to the BUMPER Coordination team at bumper@cancer.eu.
For more information about the EU4Health program, you can visit this link.
