DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN ONCOLOGY: EUROPEAN APPROACHES TO REDUCING TREATMENT DELAYS
Keywords:
digital health care, delays in cancer treatment, telemedicine, artificial intelligence in oncology, health inequalitiesAbstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The European Cancer Plan (2021) and advances in personalized medicine and digital healthcare have improved detection and treatment. However, delays persist: each month of delay increases mortality risk by 10%; late diagnosis raises costs and reduces efficacy. Delays stem from patient factors (low health literacy, socioeconomic barriers, fear), infrastructural issues (equipment and specialist shortages), and systemic problems (fragmented pathways, bureaucratic hurdles, inconsistent reimbursement), creating public‑private inequalities. Digital tools – integrated referral/tracking systems, AI diagnostic support, wearable monitors, telemedicine, and remote trials, can streamline pathways, reduce travel, and expedite care. Yet regulatory, technical, and organizational barriers impede adoption. Ireland’s National Cancer Information System and the EU Digital Europe programme illustrate the need for interoperable, secure, user‑centred solutions with standardized processes and transparent wait‑time reporting. Timely, equitable oncology care in Europe requires coordinated policies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and digital infrastructure to cut delays, improve survival, and narrow inequalities.Downloads
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