ELLOK marks 10 years of advocacy and leadership in oncology care

The Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK successfully concluded its anniversary Congress, celebrating ten years of continuous advocacy and action in oncology care. Over 500 delegates contributed to highlighting the most important cancer-related issues in Greece.

International and Cross-Sector Participation

The Congress brought together government representatives, leading scientists, European institutions and major organisations including UICC, WHO, All.Can International,  BBMRI, ECO, EFOMP, the Egyptian Cancer Society, ECHoS National Cancer Mission Hubs and PASYKAF alongside numerous national scientific societies.

Opening remarks were delivered by former EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, João Breda (WHO Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office), Giorgos Patoulis (President, Athens Medical Association) and Konstantinos Toutouzas (President, Hellenic Cardiological Society).

Advancing Cancer Policy

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, in his keynote “Implementing a National Cancer Strategy,” presented the outcomes of the “Prolamvano” (Prevent) programme, through which 178,000 citizens received treatment. He highlighted progress in appointments via the “myHealth app” and 1566 hotline, as well as the National Electronic Health Record and National Cancer Registry, which will soon be available as a mobile application.

He announced significant funding for the National Cancer Action Plan (2026–2030), appointing ELLOK President Giorgos Kapetanakis as head of the Working Group. Ongoing projects include the Immunotherapy Centre at Papageorgiou Hospital, the new Radiotherapy Centre at Sotiria Hospital and the first Oncology Clinic in Central Greece, in Lamia.

Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous highlighted faster appointments, upgraded infrastructure and major public hospital projects, including the new oncology hospital in Thessaloniki, alongside organised care pathways at Agios Savvas. Challenges discussed included regional disparities, shortages of nursing staff and the need to strengthen palliative care.

Secretary-General for Strategic Planning Aris Angelis described the final stage of Health Technology Assessment reforms, creating a system linking clinical benefit to reimbursement for transparent and sustainable integration of innovation. Secretary-General of Public Health Christina-Maria Kravvari emphasised personalised, equitable care and announced a pilot lung cancer screening programme for 2026.

On HPV and public health, she noted critical steps taken in Greece (free vaccination, enhanced pre-symptomatic screening and modern institutional tools) while stressing the challenge of achieving population-wide coverage without social or geographic inequalities.

The Power of Language

Secretary-General for Communication Dimitris Kirmikiroglou speaking at a round table entitled “The Power of Words – Speaking about Cancer with Respect” announced the launch of an initiative to develop a Code for Inclusive Language, specifically designed to establish clear communication standards, strengthen respect for patients and help reduce the fear and stigma associated with the disease. Panellists, including Aria Agatsa (ANA-MPA), Pisti Krystallidou (WinCancer) and ELLOK President Giorgos Kapetanakis, highlighted the profound impact that inappropriate language can have on people with a lived experience of cancer and their loved ones.

European Policies

Two roundtables highlighted the need for sustained funding and targeted policies to strengthen cancer management. The first included MEPs Nikos Papandreou, Elena Kountoura, former Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, Alberto Costa, Andreas Charalambous, Kostas Athanasakis, and Richard Price. The second panel which included Marc Van Den Bulcke, Nikolai Goncharenko, Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Anastasia Gotsi, Giorgos Margetidis, Olympios Papadimitriou and Kyriakos Souliotis, explored practical steps and synergies for implementing the National Cancer Plan.

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the newly updated European Code Against Cancer (ECAC5) was presented at the ELLOK Conference. This initiative, led by the European Commission and IARC/WHO, includes 14 evidence-based recommendations for cancer prevention.

The President of the European Cancer Leagues (ECL), Juha Pekka Turunen, who attended the Conference, called on the Greek community to actively make use of the Code, emphasising that it is a powerful tool for strengthening cancer prevention efforts in the country.

Prevention at the Forefront

EU Commissioner for Health, Olivér Várhelyi opened the second day of the Conference, with a recorded message which emphasised, among other things, that patients must remain at the centre of decision-making.

A series of thematic roundtables highlighted the critical value of prevention, with discussions covering HPV and the role of vaccination, the public health impacts of smoking and vaping, the need to protect citizens through targeted policies, and the importance of physical activity and tackling obesity as key factors in reducing cancer risk. Discussions underscored that prevention must translate into practical actions affecting public health.

Cardio-Oncology

In a highly engaging and interactive panel, the key cardiovascular risks associated with modern anticancer therapies were highlighted, along with the importance of their timely recognition and effective management. The discussion also emphasised the need for close and systematic collaboration between cardiologists and oncologists as a crucial factor for the safe and comprehensive care of patients.

A central conclusion was that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for the practical implementation of new therapies. For patients, this translates into greater safety during treatment, more coordinated care, and a reduced risk of complications, thereby enhancing the overall quality of oncology care.

Digital Transformation

On World Cancer Day, the Congress highlighted digital innovation in oncology care. IDIKA President Ioannis Karagiannis stressed that digital tools reduce bureaucracy, improve access, strengthen continuity and ensure safety, transparency and coordination. Technology also supports early diagnosis and better integration across care levels.

Strengthening Alliances

ELLOK signed Memoranda of Understanding with ODIPY and PASYKAF, reinforcing strategic collaborations and enabling the implementation of innovative oncology programmes.

Greece Strengthens Its Role in the European Innovation Ecosystem

The Hellenic Cancer Mission Hub logo was officially unveiled, marking an important milestone since its launch in July 2025.

As part of the Conference, the ECHoS NCMHs session “Synergies between Health Literacy, Data & AI: Shaping Europe’s Cancer Innovation Ecosystem” brought together participants and representatives of the National Cancer Mission Hubs to explore health data, tissue/data resources and artificial intelligence as interdependent pillars shaping the future of cancer care across Europe. The session highlighted the interplay and mutual reinforcement between these elements alongside health literacy and patient engagement, demonstrating how they combine to strengthen the European cancer ecosystem and support evidence-informed decisions at both national and EU levels.

A closed workshop on “Mutual Learning on Synergies for National Cancer Mission Hubs,” co-organised by ELLOK, Xjenza Malta, EKT Hellenic Documentation Centre and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore further reinforced these discussions. The outputs emphasised that fostering synergies accelerates research, policy influence and patient empowerment, while intentional collaboration ensures sustainable partnerships. Sharing tools, events and joint funding maximise EU-level impact, while documenting and communicating hub activities strengthens continuity, alignment and the wider value of these initiatives.

A Decade of Commitment

For ten years, the Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK has worked to create a fairer, more patient-centred and effective oncology care system. Through partnerships, evidence-based interventions and continuous advocacy, ELLOK aspires to improve awareness and understanding but also endeavours to ensure all patients have access to quality care, timely diagnosis and support at every stage of the cancer journey.

All Congress sessions are available on ELLOK’s YouTube channel.