This year, the DISCERN consortium gathered for the 4^th Annual Meeting at the beautiful University of Leiden in the Netherlands.

Over two productive days, all the partners joined forces to discuss the environmental and genetic triggers driving renal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. These discussions are vital to assessing the current progress and defining the next steps. By mapping the exposome in Europe’s high-incidence regions, the project aims to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

Beyond the data analysis and publication strategies, the patient organisation partners Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), Pancreatic Cancer Europe (PCE), and International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) collaboratively ensured that research translates into real-world impact, with a session focused on the value of patient engagement and advocacy.

The discussions highlighted the vital need for clear communication between researchers and patients, the emotional reality behind every diagnosis, and the life-saving power of prevention. This session was fundamental to maintaining an active dialogue between researchers and advocates, ensuring that the project’s heart remains focused on improving cancer care through prevention.

To learn more about all the progress and the consortium, visit the DISCERN project website.