CO-CAPTAIN

In the European Union, an estimated 84 million individuals grapple with enduring mental health conditions, including but not limited to anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, eating disorders, disruptive behaviour, dissocial disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Mental health concerns, while of paramount importance, often eclipse the physical health challenges faced by this demographic, notably cancer, which ranks as the second leading cause of death after suicide.

This group is not only disadvantaged by limited access to quality preventive healthcare services but is also frequently overlooked in research. This issue is exacerbated by higher rates of smoking and obesity. There is an urgent call to action for the research community, social workers, healthcare professionals, and public administration to collaborate closely with physical and mental care systems. This collaboration aims to gather more data and evaluate the impact of implementing primary cancer prevention interventions within this population.