Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and cancers of the digestive system are particularly prevalent. Slovakia ranks the third for the incidence of colorectal cancer and is the sixth highest in the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Early detection is key to improve patient outcome and quality of life. Strategic partnerships between Slovakia and European experts, allowing the transfer of knowledge and research ideas, sharing of know-how, expertise and best practices, together with the implementation of cutting edge technologies, will contribute to the enhancement of high-quality translational cancer research in Slovakia, particularly gastrointestinal cancer.

The EU-funded VISION project is devoted to accelerate the personal and professional development of early-stage researchers and medical doctors, to increase the quality of education at universities, mainly medical and natural science faculties as well as to increase public awareness of cancer and the importance of prevention.