New SOLACE+ Project Launched to Enhance Lung Cancer Screening Across Europe

The SOLACE+ (Strengthening the Screening of Lung Cancer in Europe – Pilots, Learning, Uptake and Sustainability) project was launched on November 1, 2026. This initiative involves 46 partners from 22 EU Member States and Norway, aiming to accelerate and standardize high-quality lung cancer screening across Europe, particularly during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

This three-year project is co-funded by the EU4Health Programme and is coordinated by the European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR), with significant support from the European Society of Radiology (ESR). SOLACE+ builds on the original SOLACE project’s successes, which included screening over 30,000 individuals in 11 countries and influencing national screening policies through targeted outreach to underserved populations.

SOLACE+ is aligned with the EU's Beating Cancer Plan—an extensive framework addressing cancer from prevention through to treatment and survivorship. The project specifically contributes to the early detection aspect of this plan by aiding Member States in implementing the Council Recommendation on cancer screening, which encompasses lung cancer screening targeting high-risk groups.

The project will facilitate Member States in designing, evaluating, and optimizing low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening programs. There is a strong emphasis on reaching high-risk and vulnerable populations, enhancing quality assurance, and expanding workforce capacity. SOLACE+ will also focus on responsibly integrating AI into radiological workflows while tackling issues such as smoking cessation and adherence following baseline screening.

AI-assisted tools for nodule detection, risk stratification, and workflow optimization will be evaluated and implemented to assist radiologists, improving detection accuracy, decreasing reading times, and ensuring consistent quality across screening locations, all while preserving human oversight.

Rozemarijn Vliegenthart, Scientific Co-Coordinator of the SOLACE+ project, stated that the initiative will support 19 countries in building equitable and sustainable screening programmes based on real-world evidence.

Marie-Pierre Revel, 1st Vice President of ESR, co-leads the work on AI integration within lung cancer screening. Helmut Prosch, chair of ESR’s steering committee for the European Alliance of Lung Cancer Screening, also plays a key role in the project coordination along with Joanna Chorostowska-Wynimko from the European Respiratory Society (ERS).

Lung cancer accounts for over 250,000 deaths annually in Europe, underscoring the critical need for effective screening strategies. Despite evidence indicating that LDCT screening can reduce lung cancer mortality, its implementation varies significantly among Member States. SOLACE+ seeks to create a coordinated network for cross-country implementation, develop standardized procedures, and establish sustainable capacity in line with the objectives of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

For further details, visit www.solacelung.eu.