CAYAS

ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ ΘΕΣΕΩΝ

The Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK has established a Working Group focused on childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer – CAYAS.

The main targets of the Working Group are:

-Recording the needs of children, adolescents, and young adults, and improving care.
-Inclusion of proposals for this group of patients in the National Cancer Action Plan.
-Strengthening collaboration between organizations involved in cancer care for both children and adults.
-Connection with organizations involved in European health policies.

In an effort to highlight and effectively address the challenges related to childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer, the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELL.O.K.) took the initiative to create a “Working Group on Childhood Cancer.” This group aims to identify the needs and contribute to the design and implementation of health policies that will improve the care of young patients and support their families.

The need for organized and targeted actions is urgent, as approximately 15,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year in Europe, while in Greece, new cases amount to 350 children annually. More than 400,000 children in Europe have survived cancer, but despite scientific advances, two-thirds of them face long-term side effects due to aggressive treatments.

Furthermore, in developed countries, 80% of children with cancer are cured, while in developing countries this percentage does not exceed 20%, highlighting the need for global policies and initiatives to strengthen equitable access to oncology care.

Recognizing the significant progress made in our country in addressing childhood and adolescent cancer, we must, by placing the individual at the center, also focus on the other dimensions of the disease's impact on children and their families:

  • The provision of comprehensive psychological support services to young patients and their family members is crucial for managing the disease and facilitating the reintegration of children into society.
  • At the same time, providing specialized palliative care services for difficult cases and painful procedures is another significant challenge for the healthcare system.
  • Furthermore, addressing the unique challenges posed by the geographical features of our country, combined with its healthcare map, must be part of the state's plan to reduce inequalities and ensure equal access for citizens living in all areas, whether island regions or remote areas, taking into account the specific needs of children.
  • In our country, an important aspect of the journey for children with cancer is the transition from pediatric oncological care to medical follow-up and care during adolescence and adulthood. At this point, a significant gap is identified, a discontinuity in care, as the transition has not been structured in a way that guarantees the uninterrupted continuation of care for these individuals as they become adults. The creation of specialized units, interconnected with pediatric oncology clinics and properly staffed, will provide the solution to this challenge.
  • The signing of the Code of Ethics for the "Right to be Forgotten," which was officially announced last year following an initiative by ELLOK and supported by the Ministry of Finance and the Association of Insurance Companies of Greece, undoubtedly represents a significant step toward eliminating financial discrimination and supporting the equal treatment of citizens, with a particularly great impact on the younger population and children, who have the most creative phase of their lives ahead of them. This is an important decision, which, however, after one year of implementation, needs to move to the next stage, which will be the submission of the relevant bill and its approval by the Hellenic Parliament.

The Working Group of ELLOK for Childhood Cancer was established in February 2025. In addition to the aforementioned topics, it will also focus on promoting public health, the implementation and support of policies related to cancer prevention, such as HPV vaccination, as well as addressing childhood obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle for children.