According to data compiled by researchers and presented by To Vima, 50% of oncology patients in Greece are forced to travel to another prefecture to undergo tests or receive treatment for cancer, while approximately 30% stop working due to their illness.
Additionally, more than 63,000 new cancer cases are recorded annually, resulting in 32,000 deaths. Statistically, Greece may be in a relatively better position compared to many other European countries. However, for the 63,000 people diagnosed each year, cancer means navigating a challenging healthcare system, incurring high costs, losing their jobs, and experiencing loneliness and fear.
Despite improvements in treatment and diagnosis, significant barriers remain to patient access. Greece also significantly lacks palliative care services, free radiotherapy, and, most importantly, a comprehensive operational plan to ensure holistic patient care, a structured prevention policy, and appropriate treatment selection at the right time.
63,100 New Cases
According to the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) of the Joint Research Centre, Greece recorded 63,100 new cancer cases in 2022—an increase of about 1% compared to 2020. However, this rise is lower than in other EU countries.
The four most common types of cancer in Greece, accounting for 50% of all cases, are breast (14%), lung (14%), colorectal (13%), and prostate (11%). Prostate cancer was the most common among men (20%), followed by lung cancer (18%), while in women, breast cancer was the most prevalent (32%), followed by colorectal cancer (13%).
Cancer cases among men are expected to rise by approximately 16% between 2022 and 2040 (from 35,000 to 40,000 cases), while in women, an 8% increase is projected (from 28,000 to 30,000 cases).
Encouragingly, the estimated growth rate has improved significantly compared to ECIS’s 2020 study, indicating the incorporation of new treatments and prevention measures. The goal, however, is to achieve a declining trend, given that 40% of new cases can be prevented through early diagnosis and preventive measures.
Exhausting Travel and Job Loss
In honor of World Cancer Day on Tuesday, February 4, the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK) released findings from a study conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Health Policy and the Health Policy, Technology, and Behavior Evaluation Laboratory of the University of Peloponnese. The study explores the barriers cancer patients face when seeking healthcare services.
According to Professor Kyriakos Souliotis, head researcher and Health Policy professor at the University of Peloponnese, “Preliminary findings indicate that around 30% of patients stop working due to their illness, while over half need to travel to a different prefecture for medical services, covering transportation costs themselves. However, compared to the 2014 study, the percentage of those reporting obstacles in accessing medication has decreased, though these barriers have not been eliminated.”
“In any case,” Souliotis concludes, “the more documented data we have, the higher the likelihood of implementing effective measures.”
Access to Innovative Cancer Medications
Estimates suggest Greece spends around €400 million on oncology drugs—after discounts and rebates imposed on pharmaceutical companies—while their actual market value is three times higher. Although this represents about 12%-13% of total drug expenditures, it concerns a relatively small patient population.
Access to these medications requires approval from a specialized committee overseeing the Electronic Pre-Approval System, which has faced significant delays. In some cases, patients have received approval for their medication only after they had already passed away.
To better manage costly oncology drugs, stakeholders agree on the need to reimburse specific indicators through laboratory tests. The Minister of Health recently announced an additional €7-8 million in funding for this purpose.
However, the biggest concern among patients is access to newly approved, innovative cancer treatments already available in Europe.
A study assessing the WAIT Index (Waiting to Access Innovative Therapies), conducted annually by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) to measure patient access to new treatments across 36 European countries, found that only 7 out of 10 new oncology drugs launched between 2019-2022 became available in Greece. Of these, 70% had limited availability, often requiring emergency imports.
Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies have expressed reluctance to introduce new drugs into Greece due to the heavy financial burdens imposed on them.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute plays a key role in securing innovative treatments for rare cancer cases, importing drugs worth €95 million—€52 million of which are for particularly rare cancers.