Greece to launch free lung cancer screening program in 2027

Greece is set to launch a new free lung cancer screening program in the first quarter of 2027. Announced by Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidakis, the initiative will utilize seven reference centers located in hospitals across the country.

The program is currently in the final stages of approval using NSRF (ESPA) funding. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Hellenic Thoracic Society to establish protocols, while the National Committee of Public Health Experts works on defining the specific population groups that will benefit from the screening.

Target groups are expected to include high-risk individuals, primarily smokers with a history of at least 20 pack-years. Officials are also considering the inclusion of individuals with a family history of lung cancer. The screening will be conducted using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), which provides approximately 90% less radiation than conventional CT scans, allowing for the detection of abnormalities before symptoms appear.