Cancer Prevention at Work (CPW): Occupational health surveillance in the implementation of prevention of infection-related cancer.

Projektinformationen

CPW

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 101104716

DOI

10.3030/101104716

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 26 April 2023

Startdatum 1 Mai 2023

Enddatum 30 April 2027

Finanziert unter

• Health

Gesamtkosten

€ 5 801 577,50

EU-Beitrag

€ 5 801 577,50

Koordiniert durch

ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CPW (Cancer Prevention at Work (CPW): Occupational health surveillance in the implementation of prevention of infection-related cancer.)

Berichtszeitraum: 2023-05-01 bis 2024-10-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with infection-related cancers accounting for nearly 1.7 million new cases annually. Key infections, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), are major drivers of cancers, including stomach, liver, and cervical cancer. Despite advancements in cancer treatment, prevention remains the most cost-effective and impactful strategy to save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Occupational health surveillance, already established across Europe to monitor worker health, offers a unique opportunity to integrate cancer prevention strategies into routine workplace health programs. The CPW Project addresses this critical need by piloting innovative screening, treatment, and vaccination interventions targeting H. pylori, HCV, and HPV infections within occupational settings.
The project’s overall objectives are:
1. To develop and implement cancer prevention protocols (screening, vaccination, and treatment) in workplaces across multiple European countries.
2. To assess the cost-effectiveness of these interventions to demonstrate their economic and health benefits.
3. To evaluate behavioral and sociocultural barriers to participation in cancer prevention programs.
4. To engage public health authorities and stakeholders to support the large-scale adoption of workplace-based cancer prevention policies.
5. To communicate results and raise awareness among workers, policymakers, and the general public to promote cancer prevention.
By integrating these preventive measures into workplace health systems, the CPW Project seeks to reduce infection-related cancers, enhance worker health, and contribute to sustainable healthcare practices across Europe.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

During the first phase of the project, significant progress has been made in designing and preparing for the implementation of three interventions:
1. Hp Screening and Eradication
A standardized protocol was developed for H. pylori screening among healthcare, manufacturing, and retail workers and their households. The protocol includes diagnostic methods (e.g. serology and stool antigen tests) and pathways for treatment and follow-up.
2. HCV Screening and Treatment
A comprehensive, multinational protocol for HCV screening was created to target workers in healthcare, finance, and various industry sectors across Italy, Slovakia, and Romania. The protocol ensures immediate follow-up, treatment for HCV-positive individuals, and recommendations for testing household members.
3. HPV Vaccination
A structured protocol for HPV vaccination was developed to promote gender-neutral vaccination in the healthcare, metalworking, and finance sectors in Slovakia and Italy.
The strategy focuses on improving HPV vaccination coverage through workplace programs, including informed consent, participant education, and follow-up.

Key achievements include:
• Development of standardized protocols and communication materials across multiple countries and occupational sectors. Translation of study materials into local languages and obtaining ethical approvals.
• Development and Harmonization of data collection tools, including various questionnaires
• Training of occupational healthcare teams to ensure successful implementation of interventions in different countries.
• Initiation of pilot studies with ongoing recruitment of workers
• Development and launch of methods for behavioral studies to identify sociocultural factors influencing participation in cancer prevention programs.
• Providing a framework for cost-effectiveness analysis of interventions
• Identification and engagement with National and international stakeholders in various European countries
• Development of a robust framework for project and result dissemination.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

The CPW Project represents a significant step forward in cancer prevention research by demonstrating the feasibility of integrating cancer prevention into occupational health surveillance systems. Key results achieved so far include:

• Development of comprehensive and standardized protocols for H. pylori, HCV, and HPV interventions, ensuring their adaptability across diverse occupational settings and countries with their successful launch.
• Introduction of workplace-based vaccination and screening models, which leverage existing health systems to reach workers and their households.
• A behavioral study design addressing barriers and facilitators to participation, offering insights for future implementation strategies.

These results advance cancer prevention beyond the state of the art by addressing critical gaps:

• Making cancer screening and vaccination accessible in workplace settings, reaching populations that might otherwise lack access.
• Promoting a gender-neutral and inclusive approach to HPV vaccination, reducing disparities in vaccination coverage.
• Providing a framework for cost-effectiveness analysis to demonstrate the economic sustainability of cancer prevention measures.

For the project’s successful scale-up, key needs include further research on implementation in additional countries, access to funding, and strong regulatory support to incorporate these strategies into national occupational health programs.

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