The first cause of death is estimated in 2035. Cancer, which is expected to displace cardiovascular disease from the top spot on its respective list of dreadful diseases. In our country, it is estimated that about 65,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year, with 32,000 deaths reported from the disease. And according to experts, both cancer incidence and mortality are expected to worsen significantly in the coming years as a result of delays in cancer diagnosis in the years to come. pandemic but also the years of the decade economic crisis.

On occasion Today is World Cancer Day, scientists and stakeholders emphasize the need for a sustainable cancer control plan and call on the state to “invest” in the prevention and treatment of the disease. According to the Hellenic Society of Surgical Oncology, “The past three years of the pandemic have highlighted many of the shortcomings of national health systems and made inequities in cancer diagnosis and treatment particularly evident. During this time, due to restrictions on access to medical facilities and the fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection, even in developed countries, the number of mammograms has decreased by up to 30%, colonoscopies – up to 50%, Pap tests – from 15% to 40% and chest CT from 8% to 19%. In Greece, in the first year of the pandemic, the diagnosis of new cases decreased by 40% compared to the previous year (2019).”

According to a recent report by the Hellenic Cancer Federation for All.Can, in our country, only 11% of cancer diagnoses are made during the examination process. In contrast, 50% of cancer cases are diagnosed during screening for other health problems. As the President of the Hellenic Society of Surgical Oncology, Ioannis Karaithianos notes, “despite constant information and efforts made throughout Europe to organize screening of the population for the most common forms of cancer, which leads to a decrease in the incidence of up to 70% of mortality from cervical cancer and up to 35% of breast cancer, adherence to the general population remains low, and geographic differences are large both at European and national levels. It is estimated that only 25-30% of Greek women get a Pap test, and in fact only once every 2-3 years, according to anecdotal evidence from All.Can (a non-profit organization dedicated to improving cancer care).” . At this time, a program of free breast cancer screening for women aged 50 to 69 is being held in our country. In this regard, 1,300,000 informative SMS were sent and 80,000 mammograms were performed (about 5,000 cases require further investigation). According to experts, for the Greek data, the answer is considered satisfactory.

Prevention and treatment

The Panhellenic Medical Association, in its announcement of World Cancer Day, points out the need for continuous improvement of public services to citizens at all levels, from early diagnosis to unhindered access to innovative medicines and modern methods of treating seriously ill patients. . He calls on the state to take care of the adequacy of therapeutic medical devices so that there is no waiting time when starting therapeutic protocols, as well as to ensure decent conditions for hospitalization and rehabilitation of patients by staffing public hospitals. At the same time, PIS sends an optimistic message to citizens, noting that science offers more and more options for treating people with cancer. “The future looks bright for complete cure or chronic disease transition for all cancers.”

Numbers

65 000 new incidents every year in Greece.

32000 deaths per year from a particular disease.

40%-50% Incidents can be prevented through healthy diet and lifestyle measures.

25%-30% Greek women undergo a Pap smear and in fact only once every 2-3 years.

50% cancers in Greece are diagnosed during the screening of another health problem of the patient.