Projects supported by Prevention Lab

The new blood test-based algorithm, Suspicion of Hidden Cancer, can calculate cancer risk earlier than traditional methods. The PREVENT project examines how doctors use the results in practice, how patients live with personal risk assessments, and how the technology should be regulated. 

The funding is awarded to the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark and Lillebælt Hospital. 

Quitting smoking is crucial for successful cancer treatment. The project will test whether a seamless referral procedure can lead to more cancer patients receiving cessation counseling - and thereby an improved recovery. 
With a simple referral, cancer patients receive pro-active counselling from the Danish cessation hotline Stoplinien after hospitalization. 

The funding is awarded to the Danish Cancer Society in collaboration with Stoplinien (Copenhagen Municipality), Lillebælt Hospital, and COMPAS by University of Southern Denmark. 

This project uses artificial intelligence to extract information about smoking and alcohol consumption from hospital record texts. Smoking and alcohol use are rarely recorded in a structured way in the records, and with the 'text mining' method, researchers can automatically extract large amounts of data and use them to screen for cancer, develop new risk models, and conduct research. 

The funding is awarded to Odense University Hospital. 

People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and a poorer prognosis if they do. Unfortunately, individuals with type 2 diabetes participate in screening less frequently than the general population. This project tests whether providing a screening kit at the general practitioner’s office - during the annual diabetes check-up - can increase participation in screening and reduce inequality. 

The funding is awarded to Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus. 
 

A healthy diet is an important factor in cancer prevention, and our grocery shopping habits and the range of available products play a central role. Using an internationally validated method, this project will, for the first time, map the product range and marketing in digital supermarkets, which are increasingly used in Denmark. The project also examines how our online grocery shopping influences our choices. 

The funding is awarded to the National Institute of Public Health in collaboration with the Danish Cancer Society and the Danish Heart Foundation. 

This project is developing a new method to advance our understanding of how the health of large population groups is affected over time by a given exposure. Specifically, the method will investigate whether hormone therapy can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in women with polyps. The project’s approach is called an ‘emulated clinical trial’, which means that the data is based on existing registers. As a result, the trial can be conducted without new recruitment of citizens or patients. 

The funding is awarded to the Danish Cancer Society in collaboration with Hillerød Hospital and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. 

The AIRA project combines advanced artificial intelligence with health data and lifestyle information to tailor colorectal cancer screening. The goal is to reduce unnecessary examinations and to detect cancer earlier in people at high risk. 

The funding is awarded to the University of Southern Denmark in collaboration with clinical research environments. 
 
 

After surgery for colorectal cancer, many elderly and vulnerable patients experience complications. This project tests a structured program in the patient’s home, where visiting specialists help patients receive proper nutrition, physical activity, and support. The aim is to reduce readmissions and improve quality of life. 

The funding is awarded to Herlev Hospital. 

Alcohol is carcinogenic, and around 585.000 Danes have a harmful alcohol consumption. At the same time, high alcohol intake is taboo and difficult to talk about for both citizens and healthcare professionals. Research suggests that testing one’s own alcohol habits can motivate people to drink less. 

This project will use digital self-tests accessed via QR codes in libraries, general practices, and recycling centers to encourage citizens to reflect on - and reduce - their alcohol consumption. The project in Vejle Municipality shows promising potential, as it is inexpensive, effective, and can easily be transferred to other municipalities. 

The funding is awarded to Vejle Municipality in collaboration with VIVE. 

The HPV vaccine protects against several types of cancer and is offered free of charge to all children and young people in Denmark. However, statistics show that fewer children with an ethnic minority background are vaccinated. 

An HPV vaccination program in schools in Aarhus aims to increase vaccination rates among children with an ethnic minority background. The project uses information campaigns and vaccinations during school hours to prevent cancer and to test whether this approach can be used nationwide. The results will be evaluated through interviews and data analysis. 

The funding is awarded to Aarhus University in collaboration with Odense University Hospital.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Denmark. The risk of developing breast cancer varies from woman to woman and depends on factors such as genetics and environment. However, current screening programs do not take these individual risks into account. 

Aarhus University Hospital will investigate how the use of women’s mammography images and artificial intelligence can predict individual risk of breast cancer. 

The project aims to tailor screening intervals to each woman, so that cancer can be detected earlier and resources can be used more efficiently. 

The funding is awarded to Aarhus University Hospital in collaboration with Lund University and the University of Copenhagen. 

Children are increasingly exposed to digital advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks high in fat, salt, and sugar. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits and overweight, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. Because these ads are targeted and complex - especially on social media - it is difficult to limit their impact on children. 

The project uses the AI-driven app SCANNER to investigate children’s exposure to advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks. The study aims to help create healthier digital environments for children and ensure better regulations against harmful marketing. 

The funding is awarded to Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and the National Institute of Public Health in collaboration with Deakin University. 

Men with an ethnic minority background rarely participate in national cancer screening programs. This is partly due to a lack of trust in the healthcare system and poor access to information. When fewer people participate, cancer is detected later, leading to health inequality. 

The project aims to increase participation in cancer screening through culturally targeted initiatives developed together with ethnic minority men. It builds on previous initiatives aimed at ethnic minority women, where more women were successfully engaged in health education and screening. 

The funding is awarded to Randers Regional Hospital in collaboration with Aarhus University Hospital. 

More than half of the adult population has overweight, and almost a fifth has obesity. For certain types of cancer, it has been shown that people with obesity receive their diagnosis later than those with normal weight. This delay can be due to patients hesitating to see a doctor as well as healthcare professionals misinterpreting symptoms. The later cancer is detected, the more difficult it is to treat the disease. 

Based on medical record reviews and interviews, the project will identify barriers to rapid diagnosis, collaborate to find new methods for faster diagnostics, and implement these methods in practice. 

The funding is awarded to Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark. 

The incidence of anal cancer is increasing, especially in high-risk groups among men who have sex with men. The lack of screening among these men results in delayed diagnosis and higher mortality. 

A comprehensive Danish study, following these selected men over time, will test a new HPV-based screening among them. The project aims to reduce the incidence of anal cancer through early detection and targeted prevention. 

The funding is awarded to Lillebælt Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, in collaboration with Rigshospitalet, Bispebjerg Hospital, Hvidovre Hospital, and Aarhus University Hospital.