Disclaimer: (BreastSCan is co-funded under the EU4Health Programme 2021–2027 under grant agreement no. 101219312. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Europe, and early detection
is key to saving lives. Today, advances in digital technologies and artificial intelligence
(AI) are opening new possibilities to make breast cancer screening more accurate,
efficient, and accessible. The BreastSCan project brings together leading hospitals,
research centres, and technology partners across Europe to harness these
opportunities. The project is closely linked to the European Cancer Imaging Initiative
through the EUCAIM project, contributing directly to Cancer Image Europe — the
European platform for cancer imaging data.
BreastSCan aims to create one of the largest and most diverse breast cancer imaging
datasets ever compiled in Europe. By uniting 20 partners (including 14 major data
providers) from nine countries, the project will collect over one million breast images —
including mammograms, ultrasound, and MRI scans — from more than 250,000 imaging
procedures. This will also include at least 30,000 images from 7,500 confirmed breast
cancer cases, ensuring that the dataset can be used to develop and test AI tools for
breast cancer screening in eight use cases: image preprocessing, image quality, breast
density classification, lesion detection/characterisation, and breast cancer risk
stratification.
By building this dataset in line with European standards and legal frameworks,
BreastSCan will not only make valuable data available but also ensure that it is
interoperable, secure, and ethically managed.
In the short term, BreastSCan will set the foundations:
• Establishing common guidelines for breast cancer imaging to improve data
quality and consistency across Europe.
• Integrating existing datasets into the Cancer Image Europe platform, so
researchers and clinicians can start using them right away.
• Providing training for healthcare professionals on how to work with AI tools and
advanced imaging technologies.
• Building a robust, standardised technical infrastructure to enable safe and
seamless data sharing across borders.
In the mid-term, these foundations will enable concrete advances:
• Hospitals will increasingly use AI to support breast cancer diagnostics, making
detection faster, more accurate, and more personalised.
• The dataset will expand to include more European countries, capturing a wide
diversity of populations and healthcare contexts.
• Clear policies and legal frameworks will ensure patient data is handled with the
highest standards of privacy, security, and transparency, building trust among
patients and healthcare providers alike.
In the long term, BreastSCan will leave a lasting legacy:
• A unique, pan-European dataset will be available to developers and researchers,
strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in AI-driven cancer research compared
to the U.S. and China.
• New AI tools will help detect cancers earlier, leading to better treatment
outcomes, higher survival rates, and improved quality of life for patients.
• The platform will remain open for continuous updates, integration of new cancer
types, and adoption of next-generation AI solutions, ensuring sustainable
innovation in cancer care.
By combining cutting-edge technology with European collaboration, BreastSCan is
paving the way for earlier detection, better care, and ultimately, fewer lives lost to breast
cancer.
