Dr. Delia Nicoară

23/11/2025

✈️ Arriving in Melbourne for the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit

After completing the last round of visa paperwork, landing in Melbourne felt like a small victory 😊 and the city welcomed me with the energetic and open atmosphere it’s so well known for. Melbourne’s diversity and warmth are immediately visible and it’s clear why it repeatedly ranks among the world’s most liveable cities.

It’s in this setting that global leaders gather for the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, hosted by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) — a unique moment to exchange perspectives, share evidence and strengthen our collective efforts in cancer control.

Each of us brings different experiences, health systems and approaches, yet together we form a powerful shared vision: improving cancer outcomes and advancing prevention and early detection for all.

I’m honoured to represent EUnetCCC - European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, bringing forward our work in personalised prevention and the role of Comprehensive Cancer Centres in building healthier, more resilient communities across Europe.

Looking forward to productive discussions and meaningful collaboration with international partners.

20/11/2025

🏥 Visit to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Ahead of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, I had the opportunity to visit the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne—one of the world’s leading comprehensive cancer centres.

Organised in connection with the WCLS, hosted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) , the visit brought together leaders from cancer societies, research institutes and hospitals worldwide. Peter Mac, together with Cancer Council Victoria, the VCCC Alliance, Monash Partners and the McCabe Centre, offered an impressive look into their prevention, early detection and cancer care programmes.

Grateful for the warm welcome and valuable exchange. Insights from this visit will support our ongoing work within EUnetCCC to strengthen personalised prevention and comprehensive cancer care across Europe.

11/11/2025

🩺 When I first chose the path of becoming a doctor, it wasn’t just because I wanted to study medicine, but because I wanted to help people in their most vulnerable moments. Over time, cancer care became not just my field, by my mission - a space where science, empathy, fear, rage, hope, human strength meet every single day.

🏥 Last week, at the EUnetCCC - European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres Annual meeting in Paris, I was reminded of that mission in the most powerful way. We held a Patient Involvement Session within EUnetCCC and it was more that a session - it was a shared moment of honesty, criticism and courage.

🍀 Patients, advocates, clinicians - a room full of people that learned from each other. The patients’ voices didn’t just inform the discussion, but transformed it.

🪷 I left the room deeply grateful and inspired to keep pushing for a future where every step in cancer care starts with the people who live it.

🎥 I’m sharing a short video from the session, a glimpse into the energy, authenticity and connection that made this moment so special.

🩷Thank you to everyone who participated and made this session unforgettable.

21/10/2025

Honoured to have been invited to present our work in European projects at the WP5 Partner’s Meeting – “Shaping Evidence-Informed Policy: WP5 Collaborative Forum”, organized in Cluj by the THCS Partnership together with Babeș-Bolyai University, Department of Public Health, Babeș-Bolyai University | Departamentul de Sănătate Publică, UBB.

This collaborative event brings together key actors working to translate research into health policy and strengthen evidence-based decision-making across Europe. It was inspiring to share our perspective on how cross-border initiatives can accelerate innovation and collaboration in public health and cancer prevention.

Grateful for the insightful discussions and for the opportunity to connect with colleagues shaping the future of evidence-informed policy in health.

11/10/2025

🇷🇴 🇲🇩 Strengthening partnerships for quality and accreditation in cancer care

This week I had the pleasure of participating at the National Oncology Congress-6th Edition organized in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, by the IMSP Oncological Institute, where we discussed key aspects of quality indicators and accreditation standards in comprehensive cancer care.

During the event, international accreditation frameworks — including OECI, DKG, ASCO and EUnetCCC — were presented, showcasing how such systems enhance patient outcomes, clinical governance and institutional excellence.

🤝 The congress also marked an important milestone: the official partnership between the Institute of Oncology "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta" (IOCN) and the IMSP Oncological Institute in the Republic of Moldova.

This collaboration will strengthen our shared efforts to advance quality, education and personalized prevention across the region.

Grateful to our colleagues from Chișinău for their warm welcome and for this promising step toward closer cross-border cooperation in cancer care.

04/10/2025

🇷🇴 🇪🇸 Last week, standing at the Cancer Research Center in Salamanca — on World Cancer Research Day and the center’s 25th anniversary, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, I felt something simple and weighty at the same time: a responsibility to carry Romania’s voice in forward with honesty and courage.

On stage, I shared a conviction that guides me: are not participants in research — they are partners, co-creators and drivers of change. I meant every word.

is more than a day on the calendar. It is a living network—130 institutions, 12,000 researchers and a community of 600,000 people—reminding us that discovery is only complete when it reaches the person who needs it most. In a time of shifting priorities and tight budgets, that clarity matters.

Cancer doesn’t wait. Neither should prevention.

For me, prevention is both science and everyday practice:
· knowing your risk and showing up for screening on time;
· choosing small habits that compound over years;
· insisting that equity is not optional because prevention that doesn’t reach everyone, doesn’t work.

I left Salamanca grateful — for colleagues who keep research and prevention on the agenda and for patients who keep us honest about impact. I also left with a renewed promise: to help put Romania’s work in personalised prevention on the map and to invite more voices — patients, clinicians, policymakers and citizens — into the circle of co-creation.

If you take one thing from this day, let it be this: your story, your choices and your courage are part of the research ecosystem. Share them. Act early. Ask questions.

Prevention is personal — and it is powerful when we do it together. 💙

© Image Copyrights: Casa Real 2025

Sources:
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04/10/2025

🌍 Building Europe’s Comprehensive Cancer Network – Reflections from Salamanca 🇪🇸

In Salamanca, at the EUnetCCC WP8 Governance, Organisation and Leadership Task Workshop, we explored how to strengthen collaboration between our hospitals — grounded in research, joint leadership, networking and patient engagement.

What stood out most was the spirit of : when expertise meets commitment, progress becomes inevitable.

Grateful to all colleagues for their dedication and to our hosts from Complejo Asistencial Univesitario de Salamanca (CAUSA) for their warm welcome. Together, we are building a strong and resilient network for comprehensive cancer care in Europe. 🇪🇺

Complejo Asistencial Univesitario de Salamanca (CAUSA) Institutul Oncologic „Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță”, Cluj-Napoca

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/delia-nicoar%C4%83_partnership-eunetccc-comprehensivecancercare-activity-7378376190660788225-98_7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABY-8McBqcg6327nz5CwE01Us5-mY2c5gZE

23/09/2025

Live from Salamanca 🇪🇸 at the World Cancer Research Day 2025, an inspiring gathering with global experts, patient advocates — and the presence of Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain.

Honored to be present here, bringing forward one clear message: patients are not only the focus of research, they are essential partners in shaping it.

💙
Asociación Española contra el Cáncer Ramon Reyes Xose R. Bustelo Marta Puyol Alexandre Bento Costa Alencar Angela Lamarca Institutul Oncologic „Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță” Cluj-Napoca (IOCN)

22/09/2025

🌍 As approaches, I feel deeply honored to be part of the World Cancer Research Day 2025 Roundtable in Salamanca, Spain 🇪🇸 on September 23rd.

This year’s gathering will be especially meaningful — celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Cancer Research Center in Salamanca, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. 👑

I will join fellow colleagues, researchers and patient representatives from across the world to share one powerful message:

✨ patients are not just participants in research — they are partners, co-creators and drivers of change.

Cancer is a global challenge, and progress only happens when we work together — scientists, clinicians, patients and communities. Each voice matters, each story shapes the future and each step forward brings us closer to equity and innovation in cancer care.

Because truly, 💙

I look forward to this inspiring dialogue and to carrying forward the lessons we will share in Salamanca.

🔗 More details here: https://lnkd.in/deUXWP_q

03/09/2025

Just wrapped up an inspiring panel at Vision Europe on reimagining cancer screening in a digital, AI-enabled future. 💡

I shared how Cancer Prevention Hubs can anchor innovation — connecting screening with lifestyle strategies, personalized prevention and survivorship support.

Most of all, I highlighted why patients must be at the center: prevention and survivorship only work when people are informed, empowered and actively involved in their own journey.

Grateful for the exchange with colleagues who are shaping the future of prevention together. 🌍

More details can be found in the latest edition of my newsletter - link in comments.

22/08/2025

Romania has one of the highest cervical cancer rates in Europe — yet HPV vaccination remains low, especially among vulnerable children.

In our new study published in Healthcare (MDPI), we found that a simple school-based educational session dramatically improved knowledge and boosted willingness to vaccinate.

Trust in doctors and easy access (free or school-based vaccination) proved to be decisive factors.

The message is clear: knowledge saves lives.

If we want to reduce preventable cancers, we must invest in inclusive, accessible and culturally sensitive prevention campaigns.

👉 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162010

Background/Objective: To assess vulnerable Romanian children’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the HPV vaccination. Methods: Vulnerable children (ethnic minorities, high social vulnerability index, or low socioeconomic status) from three schools in Cluj County, Romania, were enrolled i...

19/08/2025

🌍 "You can feel it—Europe."
These were the words of a Ukrainian refugee woman in our latest study - one of many voices we listened to.

🩺 Our research sheds light on the barriers refugee women face in accessing healthcare in Romania, especially when it comes to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention. Only 4 out of 105 participants were vaccinated. None remembered the type. Most had never been screened.

💬 Language. Trust. Access. Fear.
These are not just challenges - they are callings for change.

As a public health specialist, I believe no one should be left behind in cancer prevention. Especially not women already carrying the weight of displacement.

📄 Read our study:
“Exploring Ukrainian Refugee Women’s Beliefs and Concerns About Healthcare Systems, with a Focus on HPV Immunization Practices” (Healthcare, July 2025)

🕊️ To all refugee women: we see you. We hear you. We will do better.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/delia-nicoar%C4%83_publichealth-hpv-cancerprevention-activity-7353369575696035841-mnHL?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABY-8McBqcg6327nz5CwE01Us5-mY2c5gZE