Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis Highlights the Launch of the National Cancer Hub at the 2nd Synergies Forum

In a landmark speech delivered during the 2nd Synergies Forum on Cancer Care, organized by the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK), Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis formally launched a new era in cancer care, positioning ELLOK as the official National Cancer Mission Hub of Greece. His keynote address marked not only a pivotal policy milestone but also a deeply personal moment of achievement.

“Today is also a day of personal achievement for me,” said Georgiadis, “I am truly happy that we are officially launching this new mission of the Hellenic Cancer Federation, which will contribute to the central goal I have set during my 15-month tenure: to make the lives of people with cancer and their families as good as possible.”

Key Progress in Greek Cancer Policy

During his address, the Minister highlighted a series of major policy actions and healthcare advancements undertaken by the Ministry of Health over the past year:

• The National Cancer Registry is now fully operational, an essential tool for evidence-based policy.
• Biomarkers have been successfully introduced into clinical practice to support precision oncology.
• Access to innovative therapies has been accelerated, reducing delays for new cancer treatments.
• Finalization of the National Cancer Action Plan is imminent, pending only a strategic meeting with the Prime Minister.

“With that, we will complete a series of actions that the oncology community has been waiting for many years,” Georgiadis stated.

Perhaps the most powerful message from the Minister was his unwavering emphasis on patient-centered care, an area he identified as historically underdeveloped in Greece, but now at the center of policy transformation.

“What has been missing in Greece, and what we are now trying to bring to the forefront, is the transition to a truly patient-centered system,” he emphasized, “There are no better people to guide us on what needs to be done than the patients themselves. They are the users of the healthcare system; they know exactly what works and what doesn’t.”

This shift signals a clear departure from a traditionally top-down healthcare model to one where patients and advocacy groups like ELLOK are co-creators of cancer policy and practice.

A Strategic Milestone for ELLOK and Greece’s Cancer Mission

The formal recognition of ELLOK as the National Cancer Mission Hub places Greece in alignment with the broader goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission, enabling greater coordination, research integration, and community engagement.

ELLOK’s expanded role will involve:

• Mobilizing stakeholders across research, clinical care, and policy.
• Coordinating implementation of the National Cancer Action Plan.
• Ensuring that patient voices remain central in shaping cancer services.

This launch represents not only a strategic institutional step but also a symbolic affirmation of trust in civil society and patients as partners in progress.

Minister Georgiadis closed his remarks by calling on the entire oncology ecosystem, clinicians, researchers, institutions, and patient advocates, to maintain momentum and continue building a modern, compassionate, and responsive cancer care system.

“Early diagnosis and proper guidance are key parameters in making this goal a reality,” concluded Adonis Georgiadis,“We are laying the foundations for a system that does not just treat cancer, but truly supports people living with it.”

About The 2nd Forum on Cancer Synergies by ELLOK

The 2nd Forum on Cancer Synergies – Policy, Research and Funding Strategies by ELLOK is taking place at Wyndham Grand Athens, from June 30 – July 1st, 2025.

The 2nd Forum on Cancer Synergies focuses on policy, research, and funding strategies to improve cancer care and outcomes. This event brings together policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to discuss the latest developments in cancer research, share insights on funding opportunities, and explore collaborative strategies for tackling cancer. It aims to foster partnerships and drive progress in the fight against cancer through innovative policy and funding initiatives.