Cancer remains a formidable challenge for Greece, claiming 95 lives daily and costing the nation over €1.9 billion annually, according to a recent study presented at the 31st Hellenic Congress of Clinical Oncology (April 9-12, 2025, Athens).
With 34,729 cancer-related deaths recorded in 2022, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Greece, trailing only cardiovascular diseases.
A Heavy Toll on Lives and Years Lost
The study, conducted using data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and mathematical modeling, revealed that Greece’s cancer mortality rate is significantly higher than the EU-27 average. In 2022, Greece recorded 308 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 289 per 100,000 across the EU-27—a 6.5% higher rate. Men accounted for 59% of these deaths.
Cancer led to the loss of 647,372 years of life in Greece, with men representing 60% of this burden. The cancers causing the most significant loss of life years were lung cancer (8,400 deaths, 171,000 years lost), colorectal cancer (3,900 deaths, 64,000 years lost), and breast cancer (2,940 deaths, 56,000 years lost). On average, cancer patients in Greece lose nearly 19 years of life due to premature mortality.
For men, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers were the most devastating, while breast, lung, and colorectal cancers topped the list for women. The study also highlighted the loss of nearly 40,000 years of productive life (years before retirement), with men accounting for 56.5% of this figure.
Economic Impact: A €1.9 Billion Burden
The economic cost of cancer in Greece is staggering. Premature mortality alone costs €743 million annually, while the total cost, including cancer management, reaches approximately €1.9 billion—equivalent to 0.8% of Greece’s GDP. Lung cancer accounts for the highest indirect cost, at roughly €186 million.
Lead researcher Elias Gountas, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cyprus Medical School, emphasised that these figures underscore the urgent need for action. “This epidemiological and economic burden can be significantly reduced through targeted interventions,” Gountas noted.
Pathways to Prevention
The study advocates for stronger public health measures, including reducing smoking, tackling obesity, and promoting HPV vaccination. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment are also critical to curbing the cancer burden. The establishment of a National Cancer Registry, currently absent in Greece, is seen as a vital step toward better tracking and addressing the disease’s impact.
A Call for Action
With cancer’s toll rising, Greek health authorities face mounting pressure to implement effective policies. The study’s findings serve as a wake-up call for the nation to prioritize prevention and early intervention, offering hope that thousands of lives—and billions of euros—can be saved through concerted efforts.
As Greece awaits the development of its National Cancer Registry, experts remain optimistic that clearer data will pave the way for more efficient public health strategies, bringing the country closer to a future with fewer lives lost to this devastating disease.