The new cluster brings together Horizon Europe projects working to improve quality of life for adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with and beyond cancer.

Representatives of the TRANSCEND-XR project recently participated in the first meeting of the new Quality of Life (AYA) Cluster, held in Brussels. The meeting brought together several European research initiatives that are exploring different aspects of cancer survivorship among adolescents and young adults.

The cluster includes the projects eQuoL, LATE-AYA, MAYA, PanCare4AYA, PredictAYA and TRANSCEND-XR, all funded under Horizon Europe and working towards a shared goal: improving quality of life for young people affected by cancer.

As the first gathering of this new collaboration, the meeting offered an opportunity for project teams to present their work, exchange perspectives, and identify potential areas for cooperation. Although each project approaches the topic from a different angle — ranging from digital innovation and survivorship research to long-term follow-up care and patient-centred support — they are united by a common focus on the needs of adolescents and young adults living with and beyond cancer.

For the TRANSCEND-XR team, the meeting marked the start of closer collaboration with other initiatives addressing AYA cancer survivorship, and provided a valuable space to contribute to wider discussions on improving life after cancer.

Strengthening connections between projects is an important step towards maximising the impact of European research and supporting the objectives of the EU Mission on Cancer and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.