Andreas Charalambous: 1st Greek Forum on Cancer, Policy, Research and Funding Strategies

Andreas Charalambous shared on LinkedIn:

“1st Greek Forum on Cancer: Policy, Research and Funding Strategies.
Always a pleasure to meet and discuss with EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.”

The 1st Greek Forum on Cancer: Policy, Research and Funding Strategies, on the past 1st and 2nd of July aimed to tackle these points, by uniting representatives of the state, public health authorities, and research institutes from Greece and Europe, health economics experts, academic and scientific institutions, healthcare professionals, representatives from the healthcare industry and digital technologies, and patient organizations who engaged and shared their expertise and insights. Their contributions are pivotal in establishing the foundation for designing and implementing a robust National Cancer Plan.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, outlined the agenda for developing a National Cancer Plan, stating that it will be finalized by the end of the year.

ECHoS was honored to participate in this event and, in collaboration with National Documentation Centre (EKT) and Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK), organized a dynamic roundtable dedicated to exploring ‘The role of National Hubs and NCPs in fostering EBCP and Cancer Mission.’

Many distinguished speakers from across Europe shared their perspectives, knowledge, and experience on establishing a more effective national model for cancer.

The session featured a compelling presentation by Anabela Isidro and was moderated by Yasmin Fonseca. The insightful discussion was made possible by the participations of Sofia Xesfingi, Marius Geanta, Ketil Widerberg, Laura Motta, and Anita Gottlob.Also, innovative strides in oncology were explored on the roundtable ‘Forging sustainable alliances: A path to the Future’.

Moderated by Laura Motta, from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, alongside Anabela Isidro, from ECHoS, Paolo Casali and Alexandros Pintzas, from JANE Joint Action, Tit Albreht and Anastasia Balasopoulou, from CraNE Joint Action, and Giovanni Apolone and Olga Balaoura, from CCI4EU initiative.

As a highlight, a joint event and a position paper on the importance of continuously supporting these major structuring networks of the European cancer ecosystem, might be on the horizon. 

Some of the issues that ELLOK address during the Forum included:

-To what extent has Greece utilized European programs for cancer research?
-What are the benefits of increased participation of stakeholders in European research programs?
-How can our country address potential gaps?
-How can the participation of our country be expanded?
-How can investment in innovation be funded and what is the added value for the state and citizens?
-What are the trends, and what is the expected focus based on the planning of European programs for the coming years?
-What is the importance of patient representatives and civil society in the design and development of the new European ecosystem for effective cancer care?

Areas of focus included:

-the integration of new digital technologies and artificial intelligence
-achieving interoperability of systems in cancer research and care
-data management and integration with the upcoming European Health Data Space
-development of original structures for cancer care and their inclusion in the European network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers
-connection of research with healthcare services
-the support for the sustainability of projects carried out with the support of European funding instruments.

Source: Andreas Charalambous/LinkedIn

Andreas Charalambous is the Chair of Department of Nursing at the Cyprus University of Technology and serves as an Adjunct Professor (Docent) at the University of Turku, Finland. He has founded prominent organizations including the Cyprus Oncology Nursing Society and the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS). He also served as the immediate Past President of the European Cancer Organisation. Prof. Charalambous is the founder of the Cancer Nursing Fund and the European Cancer Community Foundation, which serve as pillars in supporting cancer research and care initiatives.