26/10/2024
Athens, October 26, 2024
Notice regarding self-test for Colon Cancer intestine
In the case of publications containing incomplete or inaccurate information on self-tests for colon cancer, the Ministry of Health is continuing with clarifications.
The Ministry of Health informs the citizens that the implementation of the colon cancer prevention program is carried out in accordance with the scientific guidelines of the Committee of Public Health Experts (PHC), established by law 4675/2020 and which is an official advisor . the Ministry of Health’s body for Public Health issues, such as colon cancer screening and other preventive examination programs. The members of the Committee are renowned doctors, University Professors and Public Health experts. Especially in relation to colon cancer (as well as any other preventive examination program) the Committee collaborated with a group of specialized Gastroenterologists, among them University Professors, as well as the President of the Hellenic Gastroenterological Society. In addition, the Commission and the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Panhellenic Pharmacy Association to implement the program.
The Commission put together the protocol according to which the program applies to all citizens between 50-69 years of age who have AMKA, whether they are insured or not.
According to the Commission’s instructions, the program includes the following steps:
- 1. Do a self-test. The types of self-tests used in the program are those recommended by the Committee of experts, they have high reliability, they are approved by the EOF and precisely for this reason, the EOF dictates to the Ministry of Health which ones are included . In particular, the Ministry of Health has accepted the use of FIT and FOB tests, as recommended by all international organizations (CDC, WHO). In addition, regarding reports referring to the Mayer stool test, it is clarified that the Mayer stool test is not specific for the detection of human hemoglobin, and its use would lead to more false positive results. Even the labs have stopped using Mayer’s old feces and are using tests corresponding to the program’s tests. The list of self-tests used in the program can be found in the link below:
Both the Ministry of Health and the Panhellenic Pharmacy Association, as well as gastroenterologists, suggest that self-tests detect the presence of bleeding in the stool, which is a major risk factor for colon cancer. The self-test does not detect whether a citizen has cancer or not. There can be various reasons for bleeding in the stool and for this reason, the Commission has given the instruction that when a citizen has a positive test, a gastroenterologist should perform a clinical assessment. For citizens who test positive, an electronic referral to a gastroenterologist is automatically issued.
- 2. A visit to a gastroenterologist.The gastroenterologist makes a clinical assessment of the person taking into account relevant symptoms, history and any other information to decide if a colonoscopy is necessary. If the doctor decides that the examination should be carried out, then the electronic referral for the examination is issued automatically, as well as the prescription for the supply of laxatives necessary to prepare before the colonoscopy.
3. Do a colonoscopy. The citizen performs the colonoscopy examination and in the case of results, if possible, they are removed on site and sampled for biopsy results.
It should be noted that all examinations (self-examination, visit to the gastroenterologist, provision of a laxative, colonoscopy, biopsy) are free for all insured and uninsured beneficiaries, and no prescription is required. Beneficiaries get their referral letter ready and all they have to do is book their appointments quickly and easily.
With the National Colon Cancer Screening Program, the goal is early detection of pre-cancerous lesions or even the disease itself, with the aim of immediate intervention and treatment. Adenomatous polyps or possible neoplasia if diagnosed and managed at an early stage have a 100% cure rate, making early detection extremely essential.
The Ministry of Health encourages all citizens to take advantage of these free tests that can save their lives. It is vital that these services do not become objects of political or union exploitation, but that we all fight together, the State, health professionals, and citizens, so that we have high rates of participation and do not leave our fellow citizens from diseases that can be effectively prevented when detected early. This is the precious value of Prevention: it gives us health to enjoy life with the people we love.