SOCIETY

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide, and Greece is no exception. The data provided is ruthless: about 8,900 diagnoses are reported annually in our country, with estimation reaching 11,000 annually until 2040. At the same time, over 7,500 deaths are caused by the disease on an annual basis, a number which is expected to rise to 9,500 in the following years.

If lung cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rates reach 80%. Low-dose CT scan (LDCT) screening has proven to be effective worldwide, with 70% of the diagnoses detected at an early stage, in countries where its implementation is well-coordinated.

However, in Greece, no official national screening programme has been integrated in the National Health System up to now. Since June 2023, the Ministry of Health has the guidelines for its integration in the National Health System (ESY), with FairLife leading the way in demanding a national screening programme with the purpose of providing opportunities of early diagnosis to even more citizens.

FairLife L.C.C., the first and only institution in Greece with an exclusive focus on lung cancer, aims at reduction in mortality, improvement of quality of life, prevention, combating stigma and raising environmental awareness.

The award-winning initiative “Healthy Lungs” comprises a comprehensive framework for action, reflecting FairLife’s leading role in the promotion of pulmonary health both at a national and international level. The initiative won a Golden and Bronze Prize in the Patient Partnership Awards 2024 and was awarded as the best project of 2025 by the Members of Lung Cancer Europe (LuCE).

The objective of the programme is the early detection of lung cancer and the reduction of its mortality rates in Greece, via increased awareness and access to screening services. The action includes live information events with free access to screening tests, a specifically designed interactive website, digital information documents, podcasts with experts and patients and awareness campaign.

The “Healthy Lungs” programme isn't restricted only in local information and prevention actions in Greek cities. Wishing to expand the information of the public, FairLife has taken an active role in educating and guiding the Greek population on awareness and early diagnosis. At the forefront, we constantly take the role of the voice and the mobilisation with regard to pulmonary health. Our commitment to educate, inform and shape a society of prevention awareness is enhanced by our continuous participation in congresses, conferences and speeches in Greece and abroad. Some of them are listed below:

• European Lung Cancer Congress 2025, a presentation of the programme as “Best Practice” and representation of FairLife L.C.C. by Stefania Vallore, Board Member of Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe (WALCE)
• European Respiratory Society Congress 2024, with presentation of the programme as “Best Practice” by Evi Hatziandreou, Vice-President of the organisation
• Fifth Annual Greece Cancer Summit; Evaluating Europe's latest cancer strategies, with the participation of Korina Pateli-Bell, President of FairLife L.C.C.
• 9th Panhellenic Forum; Women in Oncology (Athens, 2025) with the participation of Korina Pateli-Bell
• Bridges of Pulmonology (Patras, 2025), with the participation of Korina Pateli-Bell
• Digital4Pharma (Athens, 2025) with the participation of Korina Pateli-Bell
• Interview of the President to CNN Greece (2025)

FairLife L.C.C. remains at the forefront; it demands, unites, informs and shapes a society of prevention with the people as its primary focus.

MAIN ACTIONS OF THE PROGRAMME

ACTION IMPLEMENTATION

Α) LOCAL EVENTS: Organisation of 5 information events with representatives of the scientific, academic and education communities, the Church, the Local Government and the patients

1st live information event in Thessaloniki, 19 April 2024, at the Town Hall with the participation of 30 speakers and commentators

2nd live information event in Larisa, 24 May 2024, at “Katsigra” amphitheatre of the University of Thessaly with the participation of 14 speakers and the promotion of pulmonary health as its main topic.

3rd live information event in Alexandroupolis, 9 October 2025 at the Prefecture Hall of Alexandroupolis│ “ALEXANDROS KRETIS” Hall, with the participation of 21 speakers and commentators and main topic being the maintenance of pulmonary health, prevention, developments in treatment for lung cancer as well as the role of climate change and exercise in nature in physical and mental health.

4th live information event in Patras, 9 April 2025, in the Cultural and Conference Center of the University of Patras with the participation of 24 speakers and commentators.

The 5th live information event is scheduled for September 2025 in Athens, at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in cooperation with the Hellenic Thoracic Society.

B) PROVISION OF 575 + 300 FREE SCREENINGS

In the framework of the campaign for prevention and early diagnosis of lung cancer, FairLife L.C.C. proceeded to major collaborations with university and hospital screening clinics throughout Greece, ensuring 575, in total, free tests for the public. In more detail:

Collaboration of the Screening Clinic of the Pulmonary Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with FairLife L.C.C.  and 250 free lung cancer screening tests for the public.

• Collaboration of the Screening Clinic of the Pulmonary Clinic of the University of Thessaly and with FairLife L.C.C. and 45 free tests for the public.
• Collaboration of the Screening Clinic of the Pulmonary Clinic of Democritus University of Thrace and “DIMOKRITOS” Standard Diagnostic Laboratory, IATRIKI S.A. PRIVATE RADIODIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY and EUROMEDICA ALEXANDROUPOLIS DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY ΙΑΕ with FairLife L.C.C. and 80 free tests for the public.
• Collaboration of the Screening Clinic of the Pulmonary Clinic of University of Patraσ with FairLife L.C.C. and 100 free tests for the public.
• Collaboration of the 6th Clinic and the Radiology Department (C.T. Scanner Department) of the General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases of Athens “Sotiria” with FairLife L.C.C. and 300 free tests for the public, in the span of one year.

In the framework of the 5th information event “Healthy Lungs”, which will take place in September 2025 in Athens, the evaluation of our free lung cancer screening tests, implemented, up to this point, in various Greek cities (Thessaloniki, Larisa, Alexandroupolis and Patras) shall be presented in a specific section. This section aims to highlight the social impact of the action, enhance the scientific substantiation of FairLife initiatives and lay the foundation for a broader implementation of prevention programs in Greece.

C) WELNESS ACTIONS

21 April 2024: Participation in the “ALEXANDER THE GREAT” International Marathon alongside patients, caregivers, partners and FairLife Ambassador Kiki Tsakaldimi, sending a message for the importance of physical and mental well-being.

25th of May 2024; Organisation of a hiking trip to Kissavos alongside the Greek Mountaineering Associations of Larisa and Volos and our representative Nikos Magitsis, promoting pulmonary health through physical exercise.

PRODUCTION OF AUDIO PODCASTS-INTERVIEWS

In the framework of “Healthy Lungs” initiative, 10 podcasts-interviews have been produced and published with the participation of patients, survivors and qualified healthcare professionals. Each episode shines light on various aspects of prevention, early diagnosis and experiencing lung cancer, combining scientific knowledge with human voices and experiences.

The podcasts are broadcasted in our social media, our official FairLife L.C.C. website, as well as on highly prevalent online platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, including the following episodes:

Episode 1: Pulmonary Health
Episode 2: Lung Cancer Prevention
Episode 3: Lung Cancer Screening
Episode 4: Experiential Story
Episode 5: Experiential Story
Episode 6: Lung Cancer
Episode 7: COPD & Lung Cancer
Episode 8: Patient's Journey
Episode 9: Molecular Biomarker Testing
Episdoe 10: Caregiver's Experience

E) ANIMATION VIDEO – TV SPOT

In November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the social message of FairLife L.C.C. was broadcasted on Greek television, the fictional character “Alex” being its main character, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and screening.

The message was broadcasted on 9 measured tv channels (ERT2, ERT3, MEGA, ANT1, STAR, ALPHA, SKAI, OPEN TV, and MAK TV), with over 701 broadcasts and 349 GRPs, covering 56% of the 18+ audience.

The message was watched by about 4,870,000 viewers at least once, enhancing the outreach of information on lung cancer prevention.

F) WEBSITE AND CREATION OF PRINTED MATTER

The interactive website of the programme offers sound information and support on matters relating to pulmonary health, respiratory conditions and lung cancer prevention. In the framework of the action, digital information documents will be posted in 2025 on the thematic areas: Respiratory Conditions, Air Pollution, Vaccines, Smoking, Screening, Symptoms & Side-effects and Molecular Testing. At the same time, the interactive screening quiz, which is available on the website and promoted in our social media, help users to evaluate whether they are eligible for free screening.

Innovation of the Programme

The initiative stands out for:

• Holistic approach to information, prevention and support
• Use of digital media: podcasts, animations, TV spots and quizzes
• Organisation of interactive events with both scientific and experiential dimension
• Collaboration with university clinics and local entities
• Connection of pulmonary health with environmental awareness

Useful Links

Healthy Lungs Website
Video Animation – Screening

Thessaloniki:

Webpage
Live Event: 
Showreel Event: 
Press Release: 
Screening by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Marathon

Larisa:

Webpage

Live Event
Showreel Event
Press Release
Screening in Larisa
Hiking on Kissavos

Alexandroupolis:

Webpage
Live Event
Showreel Event
Press Release
Screening in Alexandroupolis

Patras:

Webpage

Live Event
Showreel Event
Press Release
Screening in Patras

Podcasts

Podcasts Website 
Podcasts Spotify 
Podcasts YouTube