The Country Cancer Profiles 2025 report by the European Commission highlights the urgent need for more effective cancer strategies that could save thousands of lives and improve the quality of care for oncology patients in Greece.

The latest Country Cancer Profiles 2025 report from the European Commission, published on World Cancer Day, reveals a paradoxical phenomenon in Greece. While the country records fewer new cancer diagnoses compared to the EU average, mortality rates remain high, with over 30,000 deaths annually—accounting for more than 20% of total deaths, a figure slightly above the EU average.

From 2011 to 2021, Greece reported a lower number of diagnoses (529 cases per 100,000 people), but the decline in cancer mortality was significantly slower than in other EU countries. Specifically, the mortality rate among men dropped by just 3.8%, compared to 16.1% in the rest of Europe. Among women, the decrease was only 0.3%, while the EU average was 8.5%.

Crucially, many of these cancer-related deaths could have been prevented. Additionally, projections indicate that cancer cases in Greece will rise by 11% by 2040, while in the EU, the increase is expected to reach 18%. The report underscores that cancer remains a major public health challenge across all EU member states, emphasizing the need for immediate interventions in cancer prevention and treatment.

Most Common Types of Cancer in Greece

The most frequently diagnosed cancers in Greece are:

• Men: Prostate cancer (20%), lung cancer (18%), colorectal cancer (12%)
• Women: Breast cancer (33%), colorectal cancer (12%), lung cancer (8%)

Lung cancer remains the deadliest form, followed by colorectal, breast, bladder, and prostate cancer. Lung cancer is also the third leading cause of death in Greece, after heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases, primarily due to the country’s high smoking rates.

Key cancer risk factors include:

• Smoking (34.6%)
• UV radiation (38.4%)
• Obesity (6.9%)
• Alcohol consumption (5.5%)
• Workplace-related risks (4.2%)

Moreover, socioeconomic inequalities significantly impact access to healthcare services, further exacerbating the problem.

Living with Cancer in Greece

Currently, around half a million people in Greece are living with cancer. The number of patients undergoing active treatment or living with a history of cancer is increasing due to population aging and improved survival rates.

Greece has implemented national cancer screening programs, such as those for breast cancer (ages 45-74), cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer. However, comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these initiatives is still lacking. Additionally, limited access to cancer care remains a major challenge due to:

• Shortages of medical personnel
• High out-of-pocket costs
• Long waiting times for treatments like radiotherapy

The European Commission and OECD report that Greek cancer patients face significant delays in accessing new cancer treatments. In 2021, the median time for a new drug to be included in the reimbursement list was 28 months, more than double the EU average. Furthermore, biomarker testing, which is crucial for precision medicine, is often not covered by insurance, leading to non-targeted therapies with high costs.

World Cancer Day: The Fight Continues

February 4th marks World Cancer Day, a reminder that early diagnosis, access to innovative treatments, and stronger prevention measures are essential for reducing cancer mortality. In 2019, Greece recorded 31,000 cancer-related deaths, according to the European Commission and OECD.

The Greek government has launched prevention programs through the Doxiadis program and the national “PROLAMVANO” plan, which includes free cancer screenings. Additionally, the reimbursement of more cancer biomarkers is expected to be implemented soon, according to the Ministry of Health.

However, structural weaknesses in the public healthcare system remain a major barrier to effective cancer care, including:

• Lack of a national cancer strategy
• Insufficient specialization of healthcare personnel
• Long waiting times, often pushing patients towards private healthcare, increasing financial burdens

The Country Cancer Profiles 2025 report highlights that cancer deaths can be significantly reduced through timely public health interventions, better access to care, and stricter tobacco control policies. Effective prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and improved oncology care could save lives and enhance the quality of life for cancer patients in Greece.