Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is a political commitment to turn the tide against cancer and another stepping stone towards a strong European Health Union and a more secure, better-prepared and more resilient EU.

Improving people's living habits is a prerequisite for achieving the vision of zero, which is why we gathered a number of actors from different parts of society for a workshop on prevention related to lung cancer.

Lung cancer is today the leading cause of death in Sweden. The earlier that lung cancer is detected, the greater are the chances of survival. A national screening programme has been brought to attention, but much needs to be resolved before we are there. Around 70 participants met digitally during a workshop on early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer hosted by Vision Zero cancer.

Research on cancer, and the standardised care pathways, are mostly based on set diagnoses and are mainly based on research done in secondary care. This became clear to General Practitioners Elinor Nemlander and Eliya Abedi – Sweden needs more primary care-focused research, based on symptoms and not diagnoses.

Fourteen. That's how many times, Mia Rajalin visited primary care before she received the chest X-ray that showed the tumor. And the X-ray referral was sent with hesitation – she was too young and had never smoked a cigarette.

The Lung Cancer Association wants to change lung cancer care. Especially in the case of early detection, where many other countries have already introduced tools and methods to support healthcare. But in Sweden it takes too long, says Karin Liljelund, the association's vice chairman. And lung cancer does not wait.

Cervical cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer are examples of cancers that are often detected early through screening. It saves hundreds of lives every year. Can screening work for lung cancer? The UK has tested. To learn from their projects, results and thoughts, we met in a digital conversation.

With national cancer care programs, standardized care processes and accessibility initiatives, cancer control in Sweden has come a long way in recent years. Now the focus will be on research and innovation. Among other things, through Vision Zero Cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the cancers where the fewest patients survive. In Sweden, every year, nearly 4,000 people are diagnosed. Almost as many die. Therefore, innovations in cancer control can make a big difference.