SOLACE+ Project Backs Lung Cancer Screening in 19 Countries
A three-year, EU4Health co-funded initiative helps countries design and evaluate low-dose CT lung cancer screening programs.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Cancer
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The SOLACE+ project launched on 1 November with support from the European Society of Radiology to help 19 countries implement low-dose CT lung cancer screening programs. It brings together 46 partners from 22 EU member states and Norway.
Why it matters
The project focuses on high-risk and vulnerable populations and aims to strengthen quality assurance and workforce capacity for screening programs. It also evaluates AI tools for nodule detection and risk stratification while maintaining human oversight.
The project builds on the original SOLACE project, which screened more than 30,000 people across 11 countries. Results from the new three-year SOLACE+ work, including AI tool evaluations, have not yet been reported.
The players
European Society of Radiology
The European Society of Radiology is a professional body representing radiologists across Europe, which supported the launch of the SOLACE+ project.
EU4Health program
EU4Health is the European Union's dedicated health funding program that co-funds the SOLACE+ project.
European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research
The European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research is a research organization that coordinates the SOLACE+ project.
The details
SOLACE+ is coordinated by the European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research and co-funded by the EU4Health program. Its work covers program design, launch, and evaluation, along with smoking cessation and adherence after baseline screening.
Timeline
1 November 2026: SOLACE+ project launched with support from the European Society of Radiology.
The project runs for three years.
Program Expansion
SOLACE+ extends the original SOLACE project, which screened more than 30,000 people across 11 countries, into a wider effort covering 19 countries. The new work adds evaluation of AI tools for nodule detection and risk stratification to the screening model.
Screening programs under SOLACE+ are aimed at high-risk and vulnerable populations, and the project includes support for smoking cessation and adherence after baseline screening. Readers in participating countries may be offered low-dose CT screening as these programs roll out.
The takeaway
Lung cancer screening programs depend on quality assurance, trained staff, and follow-up support as much as on the scan itself. Anyone eligible in a participating country can ask their health provider about screening options.
Further reading
For more on screening and treatment research, explore the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AuntMinnieEurope.
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