Envolvimento da pessoa vulnerável ao rastreio em processos de decisão e investigação sobre o rastreio do cancro

The INSIDERS project aims to address critical gaps in cancer screening and research participation among underserved populations, leveraging innovative approaches to overcome systemic inequities. It tackles multifaceted challenges that hinder access and engagement while advancing digital health solutions and interdisciplinary methodologies to create sustainable impact. ADDRESSING IMPORTANT CHALLENGES The project focuses on underserved populations, including individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or migrant communities, who face persistent barriers to accessing cancer screening and participating in research. These barriers include limited health literacy, cultural and language differences, logistical and financial constraints, and systemic mistrust. These factors lead to delayed diagnoses, poorer health outcomes, and increased healthcare costs. INSIDERS also addresses the critical underrepresentation of these populations in scientific research, which creates significant gaps in evidence-based practices. By embedding research participation into its proposed digital interventions, the project ensures that these groups are no longer excluded from the data and strategies that inform cancer prevention efforts. OBJECTIVES AND NOVELTY The objectives of the INSIDERS project are ambitious, going beyond the state of the art by combining innovative digital tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and stakeholder co-creation to achieve meaningful and scalable solutions: 1. Mapping Barriers and Facilitators: The project will conduct comprehensive research to identify individual, community, and systemic barriers to cancer screening and research participation. Using a socio-ecological framework, it will uncover actionable insights for intervention design. 2. Developing an Inclusive mHealth Platform: A multifaceted mHealth application will be co-created with underserved populations, healthcare professionals, and researchers. This platform will feature personalized decision-support tools, culturally tailored content, and mechanisms for research participation, addressing gaps in accessibility and engagement. Unlike traditional tools, this participatory approach ensures relevance to real-world needs. 3. Pilot Implementation Across Diverse Contexts: The platform will be tested in three European countries—Portugal, Ireland, and the Netherlands—providing valuable insights into its feasibility, usability, and adaptability across diverse healthcare systems and cultural settings. 4. Advancing Knowledge and Scalability: By integrating data collection and research participation into the platform, the project generates robust evidence on underserved populations’ needs and behaviors. These insights will guide future policy, scaling efforts, and innovations in cancer prevention and care. INSIDERS is groundbreaking in its focus on underserved populations, a group traditionally excluded from cancer screening innovation. It advances the state of the art through its interdisciplinary approach, participatory design, and emphasis on real-world applicability. The lessons learned from this project will inform future digital health solutions, enabling scalable, inclusive, and effective cancer prevention strategies across Europe.