The PRESCRIP-TEC consortium met for the first time in person in Groningen on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March. The meeting was attended by representatives from all countries where the program is being implemented. More than 9 nationalities together, representing 18 institutions with the common goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Some highlights of the meeting:
Dr. Jaap Koot started the session with a warm welcome to everyone and presented the agenda of scheduled activities.
Marlieke de Fouw and Jerica van Niekerk from the Female Cancer Foundation held a session on the project’s cervical screening journey – from swab to the lab. Groups discussed challenges, improvements, and the lessons learned in each country.
Jelle Stekelenburg gave an overview of the research activities and the gaps covered by the PRESCRIP-TEC project. Then, the PhD candidates worked in groups with the rest of the team on the best way to use the data collected in the multi-country study and the main action points.
Dr. Jogchum Beltman, from Leiden University Medical Center, along with Dr. Shammala, co-author of scientific papers on android device-based cervical cancer screening, shared their expertise in the AI and VIA research. They gave a great overview presentation, which included progress updates and comparisons of AI, hardware, and expert methods.
Janine de Zeeuw gave an overview of the progress of the AWACAN analysis, in coordination with PhD candidates. They presented exciting insights and the next steps, to be planned in coordination with country teams, to prepare for the final phase of the end-line survey of the project.
The attendees also had the opportunity to exchange impressions in a more informal way during meals and the rest of the team building activities that were organised. They were two very productive and inspiring days at the University Medical Center Groningen. The main outcomes from the meeting were:
- Work plans for the remaining 10 months for all work packages.
- Work plans for the country teams.
- Plans for analyses and publications by the project.
- Coordination of activities of PhD candidates.
Together we can end cervical cancer!
The PRESCRIP-TEC project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 964270. It has also received funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of India.
