Cancer is one of the biggest challenges for public health worldwide. In 2022 it is estimated that 9.7 million cancer -related deaths were observed. In Greece, cancer is the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular disease. In relation to the EU-27 average, the 100,000 cancer mortality in Greece was significantly higher. More specifically, in our country there are 308 deaths per 100,000 people, while the corresponding rate in the EU-27 is 289 deaths per 100,000 people (6.5% higher mortality in Greece than the EU-27).

Mathematical Modeling Study*, which used a published mathematical model3.4 (as our country as opposed to most EU countries in 2022 did not have a National Cancer Registry) examined cancer -related mortality in Greece for 2022, utilizing mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrus (Ihme). The study found that this year in our country 34,729 cancer deaths were recorded, with the majority of them involving men (59.0%). That is, about them 95 cancer deaths in Greece every day.

In addition, according to the results of the study, presented at the 31st Hellenic Congress of Clinical Oncology (9-12 April 2025, Athens), cancer is related to the loss of 647,372 years of life (that is, how many years was expected to live if they did not suffer from cancer) with the ratio between men and 60%. The deaths that cause the greatest weight in lost years of life were lung cancer (8,400 deaths, 171,000 lost years), colon (3,900 deaths, 64,000 lost years) and breast (2,940 deaths, 56,000 lost years).

The most important life -long cancers for men were lung cancer, colon and prostate, while for women, breast, lung and colon cancers. The average of lost years of life due to premature mortality in Greece is estimated at almost 19 years.

The study also makes special reference to the lost years of productive life (ie years before retirement) where he estimated that cancer deaths led to a loss of nearly 40,000 years of potential productivity, with men representing 56.5% of these deaths. The cost of early mortality from cancer in Greece is € 743 million. “This cost does not include the cost of cancer management in Greece. Considering the cost of cancer management in Greece estimated at € 1.2 billion, the cancer reflects 0.8% of Greece’s total GDP, “said lead researcher Elias Goudas, Value & Patient Access Manager of MSD Greece and MSD Greece.

Cancer related to the highest indirect cost due to early mortality was lung cancers (~ € 186 million).

The study concludes that the above epidemiological and economic burden can be significantly prevented by interventions aimed at preventing -such as smoking, obesity or HPV vaccination -, screening and timely diagnosis and initiation.

Scientists estimate that by the establishment of the National Registry of Neoplasms in the long run there will be a clearer picture of the impact of cancer in Greece, contributing to more efficient public health policies.