Korina Pateli – Bell mentioned “Fairlife was born 4 moths to fill a gap: That of a specific organization dedicated to every one affected by Lung Cancer in GREECE. What inspired me to do this was my personal experience with my late husband Simon. Although Simon received first class treatment throughout, his cancer did not respond to chemotherapy and immunotherapy and the only recommended therapy from all experts around the world was to receive a novel drug available then within a clinical trial. Unfortunately, we found out that even though innovative drugs are available within clinical trials abroad, they remain inaccessible for patients in Greece, both because there are very few active clinical trials, but also because of bureaucracy and the legal framework, which poses significant obstacles. Simon, unfortunately lost the battle and I came to realise it wasn’t only the lung cancer that we were trying to beat.
This inspired us to establish FairLife Lung Cancer Care. Our aim is to chart “the Lung Cancer patients’ journey” to include the “patients’ voice” and to bring together all relevant institutions in order to better address lung cancer . As described in the Economist report and discussed in detail this morning, there are various aspects that need improvement in our country. I was pleased to see that the main objectives we have set as priorities from the beginning have been the subject of today’s agenda. The first is the low dose CT scan screening program in patients with increased risk. An early stage diagnosis could save lives and provide more therapeutical opportunities and thus increase the survival rate. We hope that the reimbursement of the low dose CT scan will be included in the ministry’s agenda . The second concerns the analysis of biomarkers on lung cancer. The importance of biomarkers on LC has been extensively analysed by experts and the benefit is undeniable for the patients in order to receive a targeted treatment. The state is covering the cost of certain targeted drugs that are based on particular biomarkers test without covering all the range of the available tests. Consequently it does not offer equal opportunities to those who cannot afford to cover the cost of a comprehensive molecular analysis and to get the right treatment. Regarding the clinical trials I understood from my experience that important legislative steps have been taken to speed up the approval procedures and in general to create a more friendly environment for attracting clinical trials in Greece”.
