Greek cancer care fails women beyond treatment, study finds

A new study by the Institute of Health Economics, presented in a Euractiv report, finds that Greece's healthcare system treats cancer primarily as a medical episode rather than a life-changing event, leaving women unsupported in their social, economic, and psychological roles. The study applies the WHO Health System Performance Assessment Framework through a gender lens. Key findings include that women often continue caregiving duties while ill, face high out-of-pocket costs for metastatic disease, and lack fertility preservation reimbursement. Younger patients are increasingly affected, and private-sector employees fear job loss. The study calls for integrating psychological support, rehabilitation, and social welfare into cancer care, noting that universal healthcare coverage does not ensure comprehensive post-treatment support.