May 31st has been established by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World No Tobacco Day, with the goal of informing and raising public awareness about the harmful consequences of smoking and promoting policies that contribute to reducing tobacco use.
Smoking is considered one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide. Every year, approximately 8 million people lose their lives due to tobacco use, either as active smokers or passive recipients. The consequences include serious conditions such as:
- Lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, mouth, and other organs
- Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Weakened immune system
In Greece, despite the progress made in recent years, the percentage of smokers remains high compared to the European average. The challenges are many, but there is clear progress and growing social support for smoking reduction.
At Euromedica Group, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, we join our voice with that of the World Health Organization and support a life without tobacco.
If you are still smoking for any reason, then it’s time to bring prevention into your life.
According to Dr. Alexandros Alexopoulos, Pulmonologist MD and Scientific Director of the Pulmonary Department at our diagnostic center Euromedica Egkefalos in Chalandriou:
“Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 1,000,000 people worldwide die each year from this disease. According to the European and American Thoracic Societies, smokers have up to 30 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Chronic inflammation and the development of oncogenes are believed to contribute to the onset of lung cancer.
It is evident that early diagnosis and timely intervention lead to the best therapeutic outcomes. For these reasons, both the European and American Pulmonary Societies recommend annual preventive screening for individuals with a smoking history who meet specific criteria, using low-dose chest CT (LDCT) to detect, diagnose, and monitor any potentially suspicious lesion.
At Euromedica Egkefalos Chalandriou, this protocol is applied daily using Low Dose CT, as well as the more advanced Ultra Low Dose CT technique. The benefits are multiple: early detection of a malignant lesion at an initial stage can lead to a radical cure.
Preventive screening is painless and enables early diagnosis, which—when combined with appropriate treatment—can literally save lives. Your health is our priority.