Greek Cancer Plan to be tabled soon amid concerning mortality rates

Greece’s ability to reduce cancer mortality is impeded by a lack of a coherent policy, and while one is currently being drafted, stakeholders say more care should be taken to overcome barriers.

According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), “more than 30,000 people in Greece died from cancer complications”, equating to almost one in four deaths in 2020, while the OECD found the reduction of cancer mortality is slower than elsewhere in the EU.

“A National Cancer Action Plan will be a key prerequisite for the State’s clear commitment that it finally wants to work on that [sector] and solve Greek patients’ problems”, George Kapetanakis, the President of the Greek Cancer Federation, said to Euractiv, adding it was set as a “top priority”.

It could also “play a critical role in breaking down [the so-called] silos in cancer control and care processes by promoting interconnection between the first-step actions (prevention, screening, diagnosis) and the final steps, which are the treatment and patient’s survival”, he added.

These statements are part of a recent public discussion over the general reform of the Greek NHS and the necessity of adopting a Greek National Cancer Action Plan by the standards and guidelines of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

The Greek patient ends up moving “around needs the NHS creates, without, at the same time, having the capacity to cover his/her patient needs”, Kapetanakis said, regarding the Greek NHS, echoing the importance of a patient-centred structured system as Euractiv has previously reported.

Therefore, he highlighted that it is crucial for the National Cancer Action Plan to “take patients’ experience into serious consideration” to “avoid head-in-the-sand” policies and achieve the desired results of reducing cancer deaths.

“In order for such a plan to succeed, health must be an aspect of any policy-making process [from food to transportation policies]”, he added.

National plan by European standards

Due to the existing distortions of the Greek health system, the question of whether a National Cancer Action Plan could follow the European standards set by the EU in 2021 and the rest of the member states has arisen.

“Of course, it could”, Kapetanakis responded, adding that a plan against cancer does not need to be created from scratch.

“A combination is everything. The EU has given us the guidelines. There are also 19 other national action plans [already adopted] in the EU member states. We could deeply examine them and derive the necessary knowledge about best practices and results. And then we can adopt them in the Greek environment”, he explained. 

A National Council for Cancer

During a panel discussion at the Health Policy Congress held in Greece earlier this month, it was noted that there is still the need to establish a  National Cancer Registry to ensure patients receive long-term, secure and innovative health care. It is also crucial as it could form a more detailed picture of cancer prevalence in Greece.

This Registry was also referred to in a draft bill voted in October, but its implementation is yet to be finalised.

According to Kapetanakis, a National Cancer Registry should be and is a “top priority” of the Greek Health Ministry, along with adopting a National Cancer Action Plan.

“A national Council for Cancer is also in the Ministry’s plans”, Kapetanakis said to Euractiv, assuring that this was the health minister’s promise in a discussion with cancer stakeholders some time ago.

“We are not aware yet of this agency’s role. However, it indicates a strong willingness on behalf of the Greek Health Ministry to make substantial steps forward” in the next period, he added.

Ideal timing

As screening programmes have already been enacted, namely the “Fofi Gennimata” breast cancer programme, Greece seems to be taking steps regarding cancer prevention. But the launch of other screening programmes has been delayed.

On the other hand, significant “steps have already been taken in the Digital Transformation of Oncology Care”, Kapetanakis told Euractiv.

“And the results of the ministry’s actions will be “visible in the next year and more in the following years”, he commented. “The framework and the timing are ideal” for the programmes to give tangible results”, he said.

[By Marianthi Pelekanaki, edited by Vasiliki Angouridi | Euractiv.com]

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