SUstaiNable inteRventions and Healthy behavIours for adoleScent Primary prEvention of Cancer With Digital Tools. Study 2: Multiple Behaviour Intervention Platform

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with significant potential for prevention through early adoption of healthy behaviours. Adolescence is a crucial period for establishing such behaviours, and digital interventions offer a promising avenue for promoting sustained health behaviour changes. The SUNRISE project is dedicated to enhancing primary cancer prevention among adolescents in Europe by leveraging innovative digital tools and methodologies.

The Study 2 of the SUNRISE project aims to test its interventions on 4,000 students across eight European countries, including Greece, Switzerland, Slovenia, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Belgium, and Romania. This study focuses on integrating digitally enhanced programs into the school environment, targeting students aged 10 to 19 years. The program emphasizes in inclusivity, ensuring participation from both urban and rural regions and socially disadvantaged groups such as ethnic minorities and migrants. By addressing diverse socio-economic, cultural, and environmental contexts, SUNRISE aspires to create a universally applicable and impactful intervention.

Adolescence is a period of significant biological, psychological, and social transitions, presenting both opportunities for skill development and risks for harmful behaviours. Substance use often begins during this time, with increased prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption as teenagers' age. Furthermore, adolescents are highly susceptible to influences from their social environment, including peers and media. Social media platforms and influencers play a significant role in shaping their attitudes and behaviours, making it essential to leverage these tools to promote healthy behaviours and critical thinking. Schools are ideal settings for preventive interventions due to their accessibility to young people. Platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok offer powerful spaces to reach and engage adolescents, providing interactive functionalities that can impact their health positively. Health behaviour change interventions using social media have shown modest evidence of effectiveness, highlighting the need for further research to target adolescents and ensure the sustainability of behaviour changes in the long term.

SUNRISE sets itself apart from other studies by employing a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that integrates various digital tools tailored to the specific needs of adolescents. Unlike traditional health promotion programs, which often face challenges in resource allocation and educator support, SUNRISE leverages digital platforms to provide cost-effective, engaging, and personalized interventions. This approach not only makes health information more accessible but also ensures continuous engagement through platforms that adolescents already use for leisure.

The intervention will include a variety of digital tools designed to promote cancer prevention behaviours. These tools will be tailored to the needs of each school through authoring and monitoring platforms, enabling educators to adapt the content and delivery methods. The primary digital solutions include: