On 25 June, the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) hosted the webinar “Towards Equitable Cancer Journeys: Principles of Navigation”, as part of the CO-CAPTAIN initiative. The session explored how patient navigation models can help reduce barriers and improve access to cancer prevention, particularly for people living with mental health problems.

Dr. Rose Miranda, Senior Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Scientific Manager of the EU Navigate project, contributed a systems-level perspective to the discussion. She underscored that navigation should not be seen merely as logistical support, but as a socially responsive approach that is fully integrated into health system design and innovation efforts aimed at equity.

Drawing on the EU Navigate experience, she highlighted the importance of co-developing navigation solutions with communities, especially when working across diverse health systems and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Rather than simply guiding individuals through existing services, the goal is to transform those services so that they become more accessible, inclusive and centred on the people they serve. Her reflections align with EU Navigate’s core mission: to develop evidence-based navigation programmes for older people with cancer and declining health across Europe, grounded in interdisciplinary and intersectoral research. The project aims to improve access, inclusion and quality of care for all.