Equity assessment in innovative cancer genomic interventions: the Can.Heal project

Abstract Background The Can.Heal project (https://canheal.eu/) aims to build a cancer and public health genomic platform. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of integration of the equity perspective in the Can.Heal project. Methods An Equity Guide was developed in the context of the Can.Heal project including guidance and support to implement equity-focused actions in cancer genomics. The Guide consists of a comprehensive set of 18 equity actions organized into three domains: 1) capacity-building, 2) cancer genomic research, 3) cancer genomic services. An equity self-assessment tool was developed to assess the degree of incorporation of the equity perspective in the innovative interventions included in the project, for both the definition and the execution phase. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results Taking into account the 3 domains, the most progress in incorporating equity perspective, in both the definition and execution phase, is observed in the “capacity building” domain (75% and 30%), followed by the “cancer genomic services” domain (43% and 11%), and the “cancer genomic research’ domain (33% and 10%). Equity actions mostly followed in both phases are: “multidisciplinary approach” (80% and 40%), “networking” (70% and 20%), and “ethics, law, and citizen engagement” (80% and 40%). The least performed actions are: “equity evidence assessment” (0% and 0%), “equity in return of genomic results” (29% and 0%), “patients’ experience’ (13% and 0%) and “diverse samples in research studies and clinical trials” (25% and 25%). Conclusions Equity perspective is more considered in the definition phase. More efforts should be done in the execution of equity actions in the Can.Heal project. Key messages • Including a multidisciplinary approach, networking and considering ethics, law, and citizen engagement are the most followed equity actions in Can.Heal project. • There is a need to integrate equity perspective in Can.Heal project, especially in cancer genomic research.