U-CAN aims to create a well-structured multidisciplinary clinical information database and a biobank on a large number of cancer patients to enable translational and clinical cancer research. The project began in 2010 and collects data from hospitals in the regions of Uppsala, Umeå, Gävle, Falun, Karlstad, Eskilstuna and Västerås in Sweden. The patients recruited to the U-CAN sample collection area include adults diagnosed with any of the selected cancer types, living primarily in the counties of Uppsala and Vasterbotten or who have been referred to two university hospitals for diagnosis, treatment and/or follow-up from surrounding counties. As of the end of 2024, almost 30,000 participants have been included in the study and are assessed at diagnosis and prior to any impact on the tumour (e.g. surgery, radiation or drug treatment). Participants are followed up at several points throughout their cancer treatment and at first relapse or evidence of progressive disease.

Recruitment is ongoing