At the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, on September 3^rd 2025, a panel discussion was held on the topic “Precision Public Health and Innovative Approaches in the Prevention and Early Detection of Cancer: Implications for Public Health Policy.” The discussion was organized within a project coordinated by the Red Cross of Serbia, with the financial support of MSD (Merck, Sharp & Dohme d.o.o.).

The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Bosiljka Đikanović, full professor at the Institute of Social Medicine and the Center – School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, and Nataša Todorović from the Red Cross of Serbia, who emphasized that precision public health represents a new opportunity to improve the health system through innovations combining genetics, information technologies, and personalized medicine. Precision public health makes it possible for preventive measures and early detection programs to be tailored to the specific needs of both populations and individuals, thereby ensuring greater efficiency and fairness, as resources are directed where they are most needed.

The program featured distinguished experts in the fields of public health, oncology, and information technologies:

• Dr. Bosiljka Đikanović (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade) – Precision public health and implications for public health policy,
• Ms Dragana Šutović Ilić (Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution) – Overview of the state of genomic medicine in Serbia,
• Sci. Milena Čavić (Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia) – Early detection of lung cancer in Serbia: opportunities and challenges,
• Sci. Tamara Naumović (Institute of Public Health “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut”) – Experiences of the National Cancer Screening Office: opportunities for improvement,
• Dr. Janko Janković (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade) – The role of artificial intelligence in the early detection of cancer,
• Dr. Bojana Matejić (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade) – Translating scientific knowledge into public health policy.

The event emphasized the importance of integrating innovative approaches into public health policy, thereby opening new directions for the development of cancer prevention and early detection. In the discussion that followed, participants agreed that innovative approaches – from the use of artificial intelligence, through genetic testing, to digital tools – can significantly contribute to early cancer detection and improved access to healthcare. However, the key challenge remains how to integrate these innovations into public health policy in a fair and sustainable way.

Cross-sectoral cooperation, investment in education, and the exchange of experiences are essential prerequisites for the development of public health that is both precise and humane, modern and fair.