Ħamrun Ħanin supports new Colon Cancer Prevention Research Project

A ground-breaking research project aimed at preventing colorectal cancer was officially launched this February 2025. The Prevent-CRC project, a community-driven initiative, seeks to identify conditions that can help prevent colorectal cancer and generate critical data to aid in the development of more specific early detection tests for cancer and pre-lesions. The project’s ultimate goal is to support the reduction of cancer incidence through prevention, considered the most effective and cost-efficient strategy in healthcare.

The initiative, which began as an idea in thanks to the vision of Prof Godfrey Grech, who found the support of Ħamrun Ħanin, through its Sports Unity project, which aims to bring together different sports clubs across Malta to support cancer research, further amplifying the project’s message and outreach. Ħamrun Ħanin, the social arm of Ħamrun Spartans Football Club, signed a collaborative agreement with RIDT, the University of Malta’s research fund, towards this goal.

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, who praised the project’s potential impact on both public health and the quality of life within communities. Azzopardi Tanti remarked that the project represents more than just scientific advancement—it is a step towards providing the public with practical tools to proactively care for their health.

“This project is not just about science; it’s about changing how we address and prevent colon cancer,” he said. “Through initiatives like Prevent-CRC, we are contributing to a major shift in how we tackle this disease”, he said.

The launch of this project marks a key milestone in Malta’s ongoing efforts to combat cancer, with a focus on education, early detection, and prevention. As the project progresses, organisers are confident it will make a tangible difference in the fight against colorectal cancer, ultimately reducing the strain on the national healthcare system while improving lives across the nation.