Onkológia 3/2026
CCI4EU Deep Dive in Slovakia: a driver for systemic changes in cancer care
The increasing burden of cancer highlights the need for coordinated cancer care and stronger integration of healthcare, research, education and patient involvement. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Mission on Cancer provide an important framework for strengthening national cancer strategies. The CCI4EU project, funded under Horizon Europe – EU Mission on Cancer, supported Member States in developing Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures (CCI) and strengthening their capacity to provide comprehensive cancer care. Slovakia was selected as one of ten countries for targeted CCI4EU Deep Dive interventions. The process was based on the CCI4EU Maturity Model, assessing eight key domains of CCI development. Between December 2024 and September 2025, three visits of an international multidisciplinary expert team were conducted, complemented by online consultations. Activities included situational and SWOT analysis, development of a proposed national CCI and Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC) structure, a patient pathway for breast cancer, and a draft pathway for colorectal cancer. Stakeholders from cancer centers, research and educational institutions, public administration and patient organisations participated throughout the process. The activities strengthened interinstitutional cooperation and resulted in a vision for a nationwide CCI, with an accredited CCC in Bratislava. Rescoring after interventions demonstrated an overall 18% increase in average maturity across the assessed domains, with notable progress in the CCC domain. Key priorities identified during the Deep Dive were reflected in the Action Plans of the National Oncology Program for 2026 – 2030, approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic in June 2026. The CCI4EU Deep Dive in Slovakia laid important groundwork for translating international expert knowledge into concrete national actions and advancing coordinated, patient-centred oncology.
Keywords: comprehensive cancer infrastructure, comprehensive cancer centre, CCI4EU Deep Dive, patient-centred cancer care; stakeholder engagement
