The contribution of radiology and its multiple methods is very important, as according to many studies it increases life expectancy and reduces mortality, the emeritus professor of Radiology at the School of Medicine of the University of Athens, honorary president of the of the Hellenic Radiological Society, Kyriakos Striggarisabout the exams we have to do every year, men and women.

“From adulthood onwards, an upper and lower abdominal ultrasound every year is very important and prevents many diseases, especially of the abdominal region. With this examination we see the liver, kidneys, pancreas, but also the internal genital organs, in women, who are at risk of ovarian cancer, which is a cancer that runs completely silently, does not warn and is diagnosed at a terminal stage. And for men, this examination is important, as in organs such as the kidneys and the prostate, many diseases are prevented, especially prostate cancer, at older ages. In the event of a finding on the ultrasound or the clinical examination, and if the PSA is found to be elevated, then instead of a biopsy as was done until recently, a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging is now performed. At the same time, however, with imaging tests, general blood tests are also needed.” As Mr. Stringaris says, in adulthood, a chest x-ray must be done to have a point of reference, and then it can be done every three years, or if there are symptoms.

Low-radiation CT for smokers over 40

According to the professor, for all low- and high-risk women (those who have a history or suspected gene mutations), a breast ultrasound is scheduled at the age of 30, as a reference ultrasound, as is also done with the mammogram at the age of 40. “And then every year a mammogram, always combined with a breast ultrasound. If there is a finding or calcifications on the breast ultrasound, which are not clear whether they are benign or malignant, then an MRI mammogram solves the problem.” The contribution of computed tomography is important and it is something that the American Pulmonary Society has been recommending for years to people over 40 who are smokers, the honorary president of the Hellenic Society of Radiology states, at another point in his interview, to then point out that “if we detect early a small lung cancer that has not spread and the patient is operated on, his life is saved. And now the Ministry of Health has recognized this possibility and is soon going to put the high-definition and low-dose x-ray in screening.” Regarding the colonoscopy, which is considered the only gold standard diagnostic test for colon cancer, the professor emphasizes that it should be done after the age of 45 every five years preventively, and when there is a history it can start from the age of 35, and again every five years. “In the case of findings such as polyps, the doctor will decide if the examination is done earlier than five years. But if someone cannot do a normal colonoscopy, they have the option of doing a virtual colonoscopy, that is, an axial colonoscopy, where by “running” with reconstructions of images inside the intestine, we can see if there is a focus, but we cannot do a biopsy.”