It started today, Friday, with sending SMS to prevent it cancer of the colon, and yesterday, Thursday, the sending of the other 2.5 million SMS to the beneficiaries of the program to prevent cervical cancer began.
The beneficiaries of the colon cancer screening program are approximately 2.8 million people aged 50 to 69 who will initially receive four months’ notice of the provision of the free self-test from partner pharmacies.
According to an announcement from the Ministries of Health and Digital Governance, more than 1.4 million SMS were sent to citizens to provide free self-tests from pharmacies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health for this specific activity.
This particular one self testwhich anyone can do at home, detect the presence of blood in the stool, which is a sign of colon cancer.
The result of this self-diagnosis test will indicate whether or not further tests are necessary. In case of a positive result of the self-test, the beneficiaries can visit a gastroenterologist free of charge for a clinical assessment and then, if necessary, proceed with a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Cooperative pharmacies
Participating pharmacies of the program can be found in the “Partnership Pharmacies and Examination Centers” section of the website colon.gov.gr.
Beneficiaries of the program who have activated the non-material prescription will gradually receive the non-material referral for free preventive examinations.
Those who have not activated the irrelevant prescription, using their AMKA, can go to any affiliated pharmacy for this action and get the self-test without any financial burden.
What is included in the screening program?
The screening program includes:
- free examination with special self-diagnostic tests (self-test) that citizens will be able to get from partner pharmacies
- free visit to a collaborative gastroenterologist/endoscope for clinical evaluation in case of a positive result from the self-diagnostic test (self-test)
- depending on the clinical assessment, it includes a free diagnostic colonoscopy
- free biopsy examination in case of results, always according to the recommendations of the Public Health Expert Committee.
Ad. Georgiadis: Don’t miss the message
“I received a direct message on my mobile phone from IDIKA about the right to do a free screening test for colon cancer,” said the Minister of Health in a post on X. Adonis Georgiadis.
I received a direct call on my mobile phone from IDIKA mnm about the right to do a free screening test for Colon Cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers, but if you catch it early it can be cured. pic.twitter.com/5eEunD92LM
— Adonis Georgiadi (@AdonisGeorgiadi) October 11, 2024
He added that “colon cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers, but if you catch it early, it can be cured. Those of you who have received a similar message, please do not ignore it, it may be the message that will save your life.
“Our government and the Ministry of Health are currently implementing the largest program of free preventive examinations ever carried out in Greece, using resources from the Recovery Fund. Farewell to Irina Agapidakis for his excellent work in this field!” noted.