– Press Release –
Public Awareness Event
“Healthy Lungs”
Friday, April 19, 2024/ City Hall Thessaloniki
Information, prevention, holistic approach to patients and access to innovation are the current challenges to ensure healthy lungs.
Focusing on lung diseases, the informative event “Healthy Lungs” was successfully hosted by FairLife Lung Cancer Care on Friday 19 April 2024, at the Municipal Hall of Thessaloniki.
The event was attended in person and online by over 1,650 people. This was the 1st live information meeting of the “Healthy Lungs” initiative, to educate on pulmonary health and highlight its importance in reducing mortality and increasing early detection rates of lung cancer in Greece, through increased awareness and access to screening services.
More than 30 speakers – members of the scientific, academic and research community, representatives of the Greek Church, the Greek State, the pharma industry and patients attended the event.
Informative sections covered interstitial lung diseases and respiratory disοrders (COPD, asthma), lung cancer risk factors (air pollution), smoking cessation, the smoking stigma, lung cancer screening implementation, the patient’s disease journey and the promotion of wellbeing and prevention to secure healthy lungs.
Since 2017, Papanikolaou Hospital’s Pulmonology Clinic at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has been running a Pilot Program for lung cancer screening. Under Dr. Sophia Lampaki’s supervision, 2,500 high-risk individuals have already been screened. In collaboration with FairLife L.C.C., 250 lung cancer screening examinations using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) will be offered for free to the public.
The event was coordinated by journalist Mrs.Isaia Tsaousidou, President of the Association of European Journalists. Section B was coordinated by journalist Mr.Christos Thanassenas.
In the opening section, Mrs. Korina Pateli Bell, President of FairLife L.C.C. spoke about the importance of pulmonary health and the confidence, gained by new therapeutic advances in the world of oncology. She highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teams to guide patients throughout the course of their treatment and the decision-making process for concurrently diagnosed lung diseases. She moreover underlined the benefits of prevention, healthy living, smoking cessation and a clean environment. Mrs. Korina Pateli Bell stated: “It is a great pleasure to be hosted in the city of Thessaloniki to discuss healthy lungs. Being informed and aware, we can avoid risk factors, improve our breathing quality and reduce the chances of lung cancer and other lung diseases. We focus on prevention, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and clean air. Considering our health is considering our lungs too! “
The event has been greeted by his Eminence Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Mr. Philotheos, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Deputy Minister of Health, Representative of the Region of Central Macedonia, Mrs. Fofo Kalyva, General Secretary of Public Health, Mrs. Melina Dermetzopoulou, Deputy Head of Health and Social Solidarity in the Region of Central Macedonia, Mr. Efthymios Chatzitheoklitos, Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Solidarity and Welfare in the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mrs. Helena Linardou, Medical Oncologist, Director of the 4th Oncology Clinic “Metropolitan”, Chair of ESMO Women for Oncology Committee, Member of the BoD of FairLife, Mr. Theodoros Dardavesis, Rector of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor at the Department of Medicine AUTH, Mr. Stefanos Triaridis, Head of the Department of Medicine AUTH, Professor of the 1st Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, and Mr. Eleftherios Zervas, Pulmonologist – Consultant Physician, Representative of ERS, Director of the 7th Pulmonary Department & Bronchoscopic Unit of NHS, “Sotiria” Hospital.
Representatives of the Greek Church, the Greek State, Municipal Authorities and the scientific and academic community referred to the importance of a joint approach to the treatment of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality in Greece. They agreed on the need for cooperation and support of organizations, such as FairLife L.C.C. and welcomed the expansion of its activities. The concept of patient-centeredness has been emphasized and the need to raise awareness about prevention and risk factors, including air pollution and smoking, was discussed.
The implementation of lung cancer screening is key in oncology and the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on prevention and early diagnosis is critical.
The introductory section hosted the speeches and commentaries of Mr. Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, Professor of Pulmonology, Director of the Pulmonary Clinic at the University of Thessaly, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Mr. Eleftherios Zervas, Pulmonologist-Consultant Physician, Director of the 7th Pulmonary Department and Central Bronchoscopic Unit, “Christos Gagas”, NHS, Athens Chest Hospital “Sotiria”, Treasurer of HTS, Coordinator of the HTS “Lung Cancer” Working Group, Mrs. Sophia Lampaki, Reader in Pulmonology – Lung Cancer, AUTH, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Mrs. Despina Papakosta, Professor of Pulmonology – Pulmonary Immunology, Director of the Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Mr. Efstratios Kosmidis, Associate Professor of Physiology, Department of Medicine AUTH, Mrs. Georgia Hardavella, (MD, MSc, PhD), Pulmonologist, “Sotiria” Chest Diseases Hospital Hospital, Chair of the Lung Cancer Working Group, European Respiratory Society (ERS), Coordinator of the Lung Cancer Group (HTS), Secretary-General of the European Board of Accreditation in Pulmonology (EBAP)
Speakers referred to lung cancer epidemiology and the data before, during and after the pandemic. The value of screening for lung cancer by low-dose chest CT scan was documented through a detailed presentation of international studies. In addition, the latest data, challenges and barriers to its implementation in combination with smoking cessation were discussed.
The introductory session concluded with commentaries on the patient pathway’s changes brought by the pandemic and on public awareness of respiratory issues.
The value of a holistic approach to lung patients, lung diseases’ features and their association with lung cancer were discussed in Section A. Key aspects were air pollution as a scourge, smoking as the No. 1 preventable cause of death and adult vaccination as a tool for the prevention of respiratory infections.
Section A was addressed by Mr. Dionysios Spiratos, Associate Professor of Pulmonology, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Mrs.
Katerina Manika, Assistant Professor of Pulmonology – Tuberculosis, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Mr. Georgios Margaritopoulos, Reader in Pulmonology – Interstitial Lung Diseases, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Head of Interstitial Lung Diseases Clinic, “AGIOS LOUKAS” Clinic, Mr.Konstantinos Porpodis, Associate Professor of Pulmonology AUTH, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Mrs. Anna Nikopoulou, Pathologist – Infectious Diseases Specialist, Senior Registrar A’ NHS, Papanikolaou General Hospital, Mrs. Athanasia Pataka, Professor of Pulmonology – Sleep Disorders AUTH, Head of Smoking Cessation Clinic, Papanikolaou General Hospital. Mrs. Panagiota Bahtsevani, General Practitioner, shared her personal experience with lung cancer.
Mr. Drosos Tsavlis, Pulmonologist – Tuberculosis Specialist, Reader in Respiratory Physiology, Faculty of Medicine AUTH and Mrs. Evangelia Fouka, Pulmonologist – Director of NHS, Pulmonary Clinic AUTH commented on the section’s topics.
The strong link between air pollution and lung cancer and the need for systematic monitoring of air pollutants was underlined, given the association of air quality with serious diseases and lung cancer. Speakers gave an extensive description of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, discussing the similarities and comorbidity with lung cancer. Emphasis was placed on the need for a person-centered approach to tuberculosis and barriers to accessing quality health services for patients.
Smoking was also identified as a chronic – but treatable – disease with a progressive deterioration of the patient’s clinical profile. Adult vaccines were reported as important tools to prevent pulmonary diseases and the impact of vaccination programs on survival expectancy has been elaborated. The value of early diagnosis was brought to life through a personal story, which also highlighted contemporary interventional options and their impact on patients’ quality of life.
Every patient has to be understood as a unique human-being! The range of lung cancer treatment options is expanding, but so are the inequalities in the disease journey. Hope is raised by the “smart drugs” of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, innovation in radiotherapy and thoracic surgery practices, and the “miracle” of long-term survival after lung cancer diagnosis.
Section B was addressed by Mr. Ioannis Boukovinas, Medical Oncologist, Scientific Director of Oncology Unit, Bioclinic Thessaloniki, Mr. Anastassios Boutis, Medical Oncologist, Director of NHS, 3rd Oncology Department, “Theagenio” Hospital, Mrs. Despina Misailidou, Director of Radiotherapy Department, Agios Loukas Hospital, Mr. Michalis Klimatsidas, Thoracic Surgeon, Head of Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic and Robotic Thoracic Surgery Department, Agios Loukas Hospital and Mr. Nikos Papadopoulos, Patient (Survivor).
Section B was concluded by commentators Mr. Christoforos N. Foroulis, Professor of Thoracic Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Eleftherios Eleftheriadis, Pathologist, Vice-President of Hellenic Society of Pathology, Mrs. Kiki Tsakaldimi, Mountaineer, Ambassador and Board Member of FairLife L.C.C. and Mr. Eleftherios Zervas, Pulmonologist-Consultant Physician, Director of the 7th Pulmonary Department and Central Bronchoscopic Unit, “Christos Gagas”, NHS, Athens Chest Hospital “Sotiria”, Treasurer of HTS, Coordinator of the HTS “Lung Cancer” Working Group.
The discussion focused on the patient’s journey, disease management and stigma, contemporary treatment options for lung cancer, prevention practices and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle to ensure pulmonary health.
Speakers agreed on the need for a multidisciplinary approach (oncology board), the “pursuit “of knowledge, molecular testing, emphasis on clinical trials, and equitable access to treatments as keys to lung cancer treatment. Innovative methods and outcomes of contemporary radiotherapy and thoracic surgery were presented and the crucial role of pathology was emphasized.
Screening programs have been identified as our only hope to decrease mortality rates, as they help diagnose the disease in the early stages, where surgical intervention is highly effective.
The closing was briefly addressed by representatives of the event supporters Mrs. Angeliki Angeli, Chief Portfolio Value Officer, Roche Hellas and Mr. Petros Galanakis, Medical Director AstraZeneca Greece & Cyprus. They referred to the development of innovative drugs and diagnostic solutions aimed at the optimal treatment of lung cancer from early stages, their collaboration with relevant stakeholders to provide the best possible care for oncology patients, and investment in new treatments for respiratory diseases. Their role in participating and supporting prevention actions to ensure equal access to quality health services for patients was also highlighted.
We express our gratitude to our sponsors and supporters: MSD, Roche Hellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, GSK, ISTODIEREVNITIKI S.A., KARYO, “Agios Loukas” Clinic
Media Sponsors: Association of European Journalists, Radio Thessaloniki Group, Vergina TV, and Voria.gr.
The conference was under the auspices of: the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Faculty of Health Sciences (AUTH), the Hellenic Thoracic Society (HTS), the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO), the Hellenic Society of Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgeons (HCTSS), the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology (HSRO), the Hellenic Society of Pathology (HSP), the Hellenic Cancer Federation (ELLOK), the Global Lung Cancer Coalition, the European Lung Foundation (ELF), and Lung Cancer Europe (LUCE).
