Biosistemak, part of the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres
The designation has been granted as part of the Basque consortium, which includes the Department of Health, Osakidetza and the BIO institutes.
Biosistemak, together with the Department of Health, Osakidetza and the other Basque health research institutes (Bioaraba, Biogipuzkoa, Biobizkaia), forms part of the CC Euskadi-Basque Country consortium, which has been designated by the European Union as a European Union Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centre (EU CCC) within the EUnetCCC network.
This official designation, confirmed by the European coordination team, recognises the quality of the Basque model of cancer care and research and marks a milestone in the process towards full certification as an EU Comprehensive Cancer Centre, a phase which the consortium is now entering.
According to the official communication received, the designation “reflects the quality of the application and the strong commitment demonstrated by the organisation” and allows access to the next stage of the European process of excellence in cancer.
A model that integrates care, research and innovation
The designation is in line with the Basque Country’s Comprehensive Cancer Plan 2030, which promotes more coordinated, accessible and evidence-based care. Within this framework, Biosistemak plays a central role, contributing its scientific, methodological and evaluative expertise to the design, monitoring and analysis of cancer strategies in the Basque health system.
At the same time, Osakidetza and the Department of Health are making progress in defining person-centred care pathways, starting with a working group on breast cancer that will serve as a model for other tumours such as childhood, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer.
Participation in EUCanScreen
In addition to the EUnetCCC designation, Biosistemak plays a key role in the European EUCanScreen project, which promotes the implementation of the new European Cancer Screening Scheme. The Basque Country participates in this project through Biosistemak, Osakidetza and the Department of Health, within a consortium of 97 European organisations.
The Institute contributes to various cross-cutting work packages, providing methodology, analysis and technical guidelines in essential areas such as the monitoring and evaluation of screening programmes, quality improvement and the integration of artificial intelligence into existing systems. This cross-cutting work allows the various European pilot projects to be developed under uniform and comparable standards.
Biosistemak and Osakidetza are also working together on a pilot project to introduce new approaches to prostate cancer screening, exploring more personalised and risk-based strategies. In addition, risk-based screening models and health technology assessments are being developed to optimise early detection programmes in the Basque Country, particularly for colorectal, breast and cervical cancer.
Towards excellent cancer care
The designation of the CC Euskadi – Basque Country consortium as an EU Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centre, together with Biosistemak’s participation in EUCanScreen, reinforces the institution’s commitment to research with real impact, aimed at improving prevention, care and health outcomes in the field of cancer.
This joint effort with Osakidetza and the Department of Health consolidates a Basque model of cancer care that is aligned with the most demanding European standards and focused on people’s needs.
