Sixth Annual Greece Cancer Summit

Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The World Ahead, The Economist

The session will examine Greece’s progress in the fight against cancer and will discuss lessons from the European experience. It will also consider the policy priorities of both the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO). The panel will also explore the contributions of patients and the pharmaceutical industries to cancer policy in Greece and Europe. Additionally, the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK) will discuss the progress achieved in the fight against cancer, as well as its future objectives.

Adonis Georgiadis, minister of health, Government of Greece
Emmanouil Saloustros, associate professor of medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly; president of BoD, Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO)
George Kapetanakis, president, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK)
Cyril Schiever, president of mid-Europe Region, MSD

The panel will examine the momentum for innovation in biotechnology research and the importance of the EU Biotech Act. It will also focus on basic and translational research in Greece and the results of recent clinical trials. How are the EU funding opportunities for cancer care evolving? Is Greece’s framework for oncology research adequate?

Lilian-Venetia Vildiridi, secretary-general for health services, Ministry of Health, Greece
Nektarios Tavernarakis, professor of molecular systems biology, Medical School, University of Crete
Aristotelis Bamias, professor of Internal Medicine-Oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, vice-president of HeSMO
Meletios Athanasios (Thanos) Dimopoulos, professor and chairman, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Digital transformation is reshaping cancer policy. This panel will examine the impact of digital interoperability, the significance of digital reform in cancer care and the digital tools for smarter cancer care. It will also discuss concerns over equity in digital health. It will also explore the value of European Health Data Space and the relationship between digital biomarkers, genomics and real-world evidence.

Aris Angelis, secretary-general for strategic planning, Ministry of Health, Greece
Konstantinos Michalitsis, head of Secondary Health Care Systems Division, IDIKA
Michail Nikolaou, medical oncologist, “Saint Savvas” General Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens
Eleni Kourea, professor of pathology, Medical School, University of Patras
Maria Tzima, member of the BoD, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK)

The panel focuses on prevention, highlighting Greece’s “Prolamvano” screening programme, the European Code Against Cancer, the burden of cancer in Europe and HeSMO’s perspective. It will also discuss the concept of sustainable oncology, the environmental determinants that make cancer more likely, the prospects of cancer-free cities and the holistic “one health” approach.

Eirini Agapidaki, alternate minister of health, Government of Greece
João Breda, head, WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, special representative of the regional director and officer in charge, WHO Greece
Nikos Iosif, president, Human Health Intelligence Organization; chief executive, Brains I.C.S.
Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, director and chairman, National Hellenic Research Foundation
Thalia Lalla, medical oncologist, 3rd Department of Medical Oncology, Theagenion Cancer Hospital
Ugne Sabale, director outcomes research for the Mid Europe region, MSD
Dimitrios Daravigkas, radiologist; country medical director, Affidea Greece

How can inequalities concerning access to cancer diagnosis and treatment be reduced—or even eliminated? How can the EU’s national cancer-care systems be reinforced and what is the role of scientific societies within this framework? The panel will assess national and European legislation for equity in cancer care and the particular socio-economic burden of cancer among women.

Evi Dramalioti, secretary general of coordination, Presidency of the Greek Government
Vasiliki-Konstantina Gkogkozotou, non-executive president, EOPYY; president, Drug Price Negotiation Committee
Dimitra Lingri, barrister; legal counsellor of the Greek HTA Committee & the Committee for the high cost pharmaceuticals, Legal Service Department of EKAPY
Anastasios Samouilidis, government affairs director, Greek Patients’ Association
Anastasios Boutis, medical oncologist and director, Theagenio Anticancer Hospital of Thessaloniki
Kostas Athanasakis, associate professor of health economics, University of West Attica

This panel will examine the quality of cancer care in Greece, highlighting the perspective of administrators and health-care professionals. It will also investigate the benefits of holistic care pathways. The session will present insights from an “efficiency landscape assessment” of three public hospitals in Greece and a case study of cancer patients’ management from another European hospital.

Marios Themistocleous, deputy minister of health, Government of Greece
Michalis Liontos, assistant professor of therapeutics-oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; secretary general, Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO)
Sarantos Efstathopoulos, governor, “Metaxa” Anticancer Hospital of Piraeus
Eleni Timotheadou, associate professor in Medicine and Oncology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Athanasia Giannopoulou, head of quality control, research & continuing education, “Saint Savvas” General Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens

Post-treatment care is crucial in increasing cancer survivorship, while palliative care plays a key role in supporting patients’ quality of life. How can the framework and policies for both be improved? What are the most successful community and home-based palliative care models? The session will also examine programmes for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Finally, it will discuss how to address the unmet needs of breast cancer patients in Greece. A case study from Romania will also be presented during the session.

Amanda Psyrri, professor of medical oncology, National Kapodistrian University of Athens; chairman of internal medicine, Attikon University Hospital (recorded message)
Antonis Kattamis, head, division of pediatric hematology-oncology, first department of pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital
Paraskevi Michalopoulou, president, Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer “Alma Zois”; vice-president, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK)
Nikolaos Tsoukalas, medical oncologist; director, Oncology Department, Veterans Hospital 417 NIMTS; special secretary, HeSMO
Sofia Agelaki, medical oncologist, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete; professor of medical oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete
Eleftherios Thireos, head of general directorate, National Agency for Quality Assurance in Health; president, Athens Medical Society
Agatha Peptea, president, Happiness In A Cup Foundation

Emmanouil Saloustros, associate professor of medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly; president of the board, Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO)
George Kapetanakis, president, Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK)