A month dedicated to raising awareness about Cancer Breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women, is October around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million new cases per year. However, it can be prevented and treated effectively, as long as it is detected early.
Greece is implementing an extensive population screening program for the first time, which makes it easier for women to get tested easily, immediately and free of charge.
THE Ministry of Health implements, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Governance, the National Breast Cancer Prevention Program “Fofi Gennimata”, which offers free mammograms to women aged 45 to 74. The program covers 1.4 million women and offers free digital mammography, free ultrasound and free medical consultation for women who have results.
This program aims to detect breast cancer early, allowing women to protect their health. The referral is made automatically by AMKA and the exams are completely free for insured and non-insured people.
163 thousand SMS for new beneficiaries
To date, more than 416,000 women have had mammograms free of charge, taking advantage of this important possibility, while more than 26,000 women have been identified in time with the results.
In fact, as part of the recalculation of beneficiaries that takes place every two months, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with IDIKA, an entity of the Ministry of Digital Governance, sent 163 thousand SMS to new beneficiaries who joined the 45-74 age group. , as well as women whose 12 months have passed so they can have a free annual mammogram. At the same time, more than 740,000 women have received an SMS or email in recent weeks as a reminder that their AMKA has received a referral for a free digital mammogram. These are beneficiaries who are approaching the expiration date of their referral.
At the same time, the cervical cancer prevention program, which affects 2.5 million women ages 21 to 65, is ongoing and offers free Pap smears, HPV DNA testing, colposcopy and biopsies when necessary.
“Don’t neglect your mammogram”
“This is the first time that our country has an organized prevention program. “Prevent” was designed so that all citizens, without discrimination, have access to free preventive exams for chronic diseases, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer and cardiovascular diseases”, the deputy told APE-MPE. -Minister of Health, Irini Agapidakis, who wants to encourage all women not to neglect digital mammography.
“If I could look into the eyes of every woman who receives a text message or email about her mammogram exam, I would say ‘please don’t neglect this.’ This exam could be the step that will ensure many more years of health for you and your loved ones. We all have so many obligations every day that we often forget to take care of our health. But that small moment you take to get a mammogram could save your life. You don’t need to do anything other than use your AMKA and make an appointment at one of the collaborating centers you will find at mastografia.gov.gr. Everything is free”, emphasizes D. Agapidaki and emphasizes:
“Prevention is the most powerful weapon we have in the fight against cancer. Don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate. Do this for yourself, for your family, for your future. Together we can protect our lives.”
Source: RES-MPE
