2024-05-14 11:42:29
A total of 566,494 women will receive SMS as part of the breast cancer screening program
The first SMSes to the new age groups that joined the “Fofi Gennimata” breast cancer screening program were sent yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health. The new beneficiaries are women aged 45-49 and 70-74, with a total of 566,494. The program was already in place for women aged 50-69.
Every day women who have activated the intangible prescription will gradually receive the intangible referral for a free preventive mammogram by text message (SMS). Female beneficiaries aged 45-74 who have not activated the immaterial prescription can, using their AMKA, go to any cooperating center in their area (public or private) and make an appointment for the examination, without any financial charge. Beneficiaries can see the collaborating centers in their area on the mastografia.gov.gr website.
The sending of all the informative SMS for the age group 45-49, concerning 318,358 female beneficiaries is expected to be completed by Friday, May 10, while the sending of the informative SMS for the 248,136 female beneficiaries in the age group 70-74 is expected to be completed by Friday 17/5/2024.
It is noted that the breast cancer screening program “Fofi Gennimata” has been launched by the Ministry of Health within the framework of the National Screening Program PROLAMPANO. The program covers 1.4 million women aged 45-74 and offers a free digital mammogram, a free ultrasound and a free doctor’s visit for women with findings. So far, more than 300,000 mammograms have already been performed and more than 20,000 women have been identified early with symptoms.
The government is investing a total of over €200 million until 2025 for secondary cancer prevention programs, the majority of which comes from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
“Through the “Fofi Gennimata” breast cancer program, more than 300,000 mammograms have already been performed and more than 20,000 women have been identified early with symptoms. As of today, this successful program is expanding by sending messages to women 45-49 and 70-74, with the aim of including even more women – beneficiaries in the program of preventive and free examinations implemented by the Ministry of Health. In the next period, the preventive examination program for cervical cancer as well as colon cancer will follow. Through the National Screening Program PROLAMVANO, our goal is to increase the number of screenings to cover more groups of citizens and more types of chronic diseases,” said the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis.
The Deputy Minister of Health Irini Agapidaki said: “For the first time our country is investing in Prevention and this is very important for citizens. I want to ask all new beneficiaries not to ignore the SMS they will receive, but to take advantage of this opportunity and do their free tests. Prevention is the key to gaining health and not simply avoiding the consequences of the disease.”
For his part, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis said: “The strengthening and expansion of preventive examinations and early diagnosis for a number of diseases, such as breast cancer, alongside the upgrading of the National Health System, both at the level of infrastructure and at the level of care, are priorities of the Government. To achieve this goal of national importance, the assistance of European resources, the Recovery and Resilience Fund and the NSRF is important. Faithful to our commitments, we are implementing Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ plan for a public health system that meets the needs of the 21st century, the needs of women and young people, and the needs of all our fellow citizens.”