Cancer continues to place a growing burden on individuals, health systems, and society, making it essential to strengthen person-centred cancer care and rethink how care is delivered. New cancer diagnoses are expected to rise by nearly 77% by 2050, further straining already pressured healthcare systems.
Many countries report limited access to treatments, workforce shortages, and long waiting times as key challenges. In this context, policymakers must rethink how cancer care is delivered, ensuring that limited resources are used effectively while maintaining access to high-quality services.
The report titled “Implementing Person-Centred Cancer Care to Improve Outcomes, Experiences and Efficiency”, published by All.Can International, is based on evidence and studies from 2018–2025. It brings together insights from experts across 11 countries and aims to support policymakers and health systems in redesigning cancer care towards a more person-centred and efficient model.
The report highlights that person-centred cancer care is a practical, high-impact approach that improves patient experience while strengthening the resilience of health systems. It places individuals at the centre of care, taking into account their needs, values, and goals, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all clinical pathway.
The framework is structured around seven key areas of intervention, with a common goal: better care for patients and more sustainable health systems.
1. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment
Late diagnosis remains a major global challenge. Limited health literacy, low participation in screening programmes, and weaknesses in primary care often lead to delays in treatment.
The report recommends more tailored public information, taking into account health literacy levels and cultural context. It also emphasises the co-design of screening programmes with communities to improve participation and enable earlier diagnosis.
2. Coordinated and multidisciplinary care
Lack of coordination between services leads to delays and unequal care provision. Strengthening multidisciplinary teams and introducing patient navigation can help individuals move more smoothly through the healthcare system and receive more consistent care.
3. Digital tools and system integration
Fragmented data management and limited interoperability between health systems remain major barriers. Developing integrated data infrastructures, national cancer registries, and using technologies such as artificial intelligence can improve efficiency and coordination.
4. Telemedicine and remote care
At the same time, digital health services can reduce geographical barriers and bring care closer to patients. However, investment in infrastructure and training is necessary to ensure equitable access.
The use of wearable health technologies and mobile applications can support continuous monitoring and care beyond hospital settings.
5. Communication and shared decision-making
Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients remains a critical challenge. Shared decision-making models, the use of patient experience data, and culturally appropriate communication can strengthen trust and improve care quality.
At the same time, involving caregivers in communication processes is essential, as their needs are often overlooked.
6. Supportive care and survivorship
Access to psychosocial and supportive care remains limited in many settings, negatively affecting quality of life. Integrating support services throughout the care pathway is essential, especially as more people live with and beyond cancer.
The report also highlights the importance of advance care planning, which can reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and support patient autonomy.
7. Financial support and access to care
The financial burden of cancer remains a major barrier to accessing care. The report recommends improved reimbursement systems, financial navigation services, and support for indirect costs to reduce financial toxicity for patients and their families.
Person-centred cancer care in Greece
Although the report has a global scope, its findings are highly relevant for countries like Greece. Challenges such as delays in diagnosis, inequalities in access, workforce pressure, and limited system integration reflect real issues within the Greek healthcare system.
In this context, the transition towards more coordinated, digitally supported, and person-centred cancer care becomes particularly important.
Call to action
Therefore, policymakers must urgently embed person-centred care into national cancer strategies. Collaboration with people with lived experience of cancer is essential to designing more equitable, efficient, and sustainable health systems.
Adopting this approach can contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved quality of care, better use of resources, and ultimately more resilient health systems in the face of rising cancer burden.
You can read the full report here: Person-centred-cancer-care-improving-outcomes-experiences-and-efficiency-2
Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3
