04th February 2026
This World Cancer Day, we are reminded of a powerful and hopeful message: cancer is not inevitable.
A new global analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that around 4 in 10 cancer cases worldwide could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, excess body weight, and environmental exposures.
Read more here.
At the Behavioral Science in Health – BSiH Lab, our work sits exactly at this intersection, where behavior, health systems, and lived experience can make a measurable difference across the cancer continuum, from prevention to diagnosis, care, and survivorship.
🧠 Improving psychosocial oncology care
Through DESIPOC, we focus on strengthening psychosocial oncology care provision by improving mental health screening and support for people living with cancer and their carers. Addressing psychological wellbeing is not optional, it is essential for quality cancer care.
📲 Capturing real-time patient experiences
With MOMENTOUS, we use digital technologies to collect patient-reported outcomes in real time, enabling healthcare teams to respond earlier to symptoms, distress, and unmet needs during cancer treatment.
🔍 Reducing diagnostic delays
In eCREST Cyprus, we examine how cognitive and attentional biases among health professionals may contribute to diagnostic delays. By understanding and addressing these biases, we aim to support earlier and more accurate cancer diagnosis.
🚭 Changing behaviours that shape cancer risk
Prevention is a core pillar of our work:
ALTHEA CY focuses on health behaviour change among postpartum women, supporting long-term prevention during a critical life stage.
RELIEF addresses vaping among adolescents, tackling emerging cancer-related risks early in life.
Mystery Shopping examines young people’s access to alcohol, generating evidence to inform policy and enforcement.
Across all these projects, our goal is the same: to translate behavioral science into real-world impact, improving health outcomes and reducing avoidable cancer burden.