The Ministries of Health and Digital Governance announce the start of sending informative SMS to the beneficiaries of the National Colon Cancer Prevention Program.

In particular, more than 1.4 million SMS were sent to citizens for the supply of free self-tests from pharmacies cooperating with the Ministry of Health for this specific action.

Citizens can find a complete list at https://colon.gov.gr/synergazomena-farmakeia-kai-kentra-dienergeias-exetaseon/.

The Colon Cancer screening program is aimed at all citizens aged 50-69 who have AMKA, whether they are insured or uninsured.

Also, a condition for the supply of a self test is that citizens have not already been diagnosed with any of the following: adenomatous polyps of the colon, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary cancer of the intestine.

In case of a positive result of the self-Test, the beneficiaries can visit a Gastroenterologist for a clinical evaluation free of charge and then, if necessary, proceed with a diagnostic colonoscopy.

Beneficiaries of the program who have activated the immaterial prescription will gradually receive the immaterial referral for free preventive examinations. Those who have not activated the immaterial prescription can, using their AMKA, go to any pharmacy cooperating for this action and obtain the self-test without any financial burden.

Furthermore, as part of the “Prevent” Prevention Program, SMS continues to be sent to the beneficiaries of the National Program for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. Already over 1.4 million women have received online referrals for a Pap test (for women 21-29) or for a molecular HPV DNA test (for women 30-65).

The program for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer is for women aged 21-65 who have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer and have AMKA, whether insured or uninsured.

In addition, the program provides the possibility of re-examination completely free of charge to women for whom there are findings.

It is noted that SMS are sent gradually, according to the specifications that set international standards. Beneficiaries of all preventive examinations receive their referral letter ready and all they have to do is book their appointment, free of charge, easily and quickly. Referrals for the Cervical Cancer Prevention program are expected to be completed by next Wednesday and for the Colon Cancer Prevention program by the end of the month.

The Prevention Program “PROLAMVANO” was designed by Deputy Minister of Health Irini Agapidakis. It is implemented by IDIKA SA, a body of the Ministry of Digital Governance, financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0 and is part of a broader and integrated strategy for cancer prevention.

The Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis said: “Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers, but if you catch it early it can be cured. For this reason, screening is necessary, which significantly increases the chances of curing the disease. I urge all citizens who received the message from IDIKA, not to ignore it. It could be the message that will save your life. The Ministry of Health is currently implementing the largest program of free preventive examinations that has ever been carried out in Greece, using resources from the Recovery Fund. Through these programs, thousands of citizens have already benefited, highlighting the importance of preventive medicine in protecting public health».

The Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou stated:

“As the Ministry of Digital Governance “we are everywhere”! We cooperate with all the Ministries, as the mandate of the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is to constantly improve the services of the state and consequently the everyday life of the citizens. In this very logic, we contribute to the implementation together with the Ministry of Health of the National Prevention Program “PROLAMVANO”. We use technology so that citizens can easily and free of charge. Early diagnosis can really save lives. Integrating technology into healthcare is an important step towards a digital and efficient state».

The Deputy Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki stated:

“We are particularly pleased to see the implementation of a program that we designed with the aim of protecting the health of citizens. The PROLAMVANO National Prevention Program is a personal commitment, now becoming a reality, by the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leadership of the Ministry of Health. Through this initiative, every citizen has the possibility to carry out free preventive examinations, without complicated procedures, effectively contributing to the reduction of cancer incidences.
Prevention is not just a measure of health, but an investment in our lives. We designed this program based on our deep belief that health starts with prevention, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that prevention becomes an integral part of the everyday life of all Greeks.».