SOLACE+ (Strengthening the screening of Lung Cancer in Europe – Pilots, Learning, Uptake and Sustainability) builds on the successes of the original SOLACE project to scale up high-quality lung cancer screening across Europe.

Launched 1 November 2026, this 3-year EU4Health-co-funded project brings together 46 partners from 22 EU Member States and Norway to support 19 countries in designing, planning, launching, evaluating and optimising low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening programmes.

Its objectives are:

• To support Member States to implement equitable, sustainable lung cancer screening programmes aligned with national priorities and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
• To strengthen quality assurance and workforce capacity for lung cancer screening across Europe
• To integrate AI-assisted tools responsibly into radiological workflows for nodule detection, risk stratification and workflow optimisation
• To reach high-risk and vulnerable populations, reducing inequities in screening access
• To address remaining gaps including smoking cessation and adherence to screening after baseline scan
• To create a coordinated European implementation network where countries learn from each other

The original SOLACE project laid important groundwork for lung cancer screening in Europe:

• Exceeded recruitment targets: screened over 30,000 people across 12 countries
• Proved that targeted outreach works: community mediators, mobile CT units and linking lung checks with other health services all increased participation
• Reached groups often missed by screening: women, marginalised communities and people living with COPD or other lung conditions
• Found high cancer detection rates in high-risk groups – higher than in general screening populations
• Showed people value screening: 92% reported a positive experience and many changed health behaviours after participating
• Built lasting resources: the SOLACE Knowledge Hub and the European Lung Cancer Screening Alliance (ELCSA) continue to support implementation
• Influenced policy: Croatia established a national programme; three other countries followed with their own initiatives

SOLACE+ addresses the challenges that remain in lung cancer screening:

• Scaling up: moving from pilots to wider implementation across more Member States
• Closing the gaps: tackling smoking cessation, adherence to screening programmes after the first scan, and integrating AI responsibly
• Building capacity: training the workforce and strengthening quality standards so screening is done well, everywhere
• Reaching those most at risk: focusing on high-risk and vulnerable populations to reduce inequities
• Connecting across borders: creating a sustainable European network where countries learn from each other

• Duration: November 2026 – October 2029
• Partners: 46 (37 beneficiaries, 1 affiliated entity and 8 associated partners)
• Countries: 22 EU Member States and Norway
• Screening programmes: scaled up in 19 countries
• Funding: EU4Health Programme, Grant Agreement no. 101101187
• Coordinator: European Institute for Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR), supported by Lungs Europe.

• Work Package 1: Project management and coordination
• Work Package 2: Evidence, implementation, data and quality framework for European lung cancer screening pilots and programmes
• Work Package 3: Towards inclusive lung cancer screening: optimising enrolment and adherence beyond baseline LDCT in lung cancer screening rounds
• Work Package 4: Standards and quality assurance for technical performance, radiation protection and nodule management in low-dose CT screening
• Work Package 5: Integration of structured smoking cessation measures in lung cancer screening programmes and clinical management of positive LDCT screening-detected nodules
• Work Package 6: Tobacco-associated comorbidities and incidental findings
• Work Package 7: Integration of AI in lung cancer screening
• Work Package 8: Evaluation, training, sustainability
• Work Package 9: Community engagement, outreach and dissemination