Mitsotakis: A self-test for colon cancer was procured

The self-test for colon cancerwithin the framework of the National Prevention Program “PROLAMVANO”, the prime minister procured Kyriakos Mitsotakis visiting a pharmacy in the center of Athens in the morning.

“For us it is very important to launch a large program of preventive examinations. As you remember, it started with the “Fofi Births” Program to detect breast cancer – indeed, today is World Breast Cancer Day -, a program which was extremely successful because it allowed us to identify many women who who had early symptoms of breast cancer without knowing it.

At a time when we place so much emphasis on prevention, the continuation of this program for other diseases is of great importance. And here we should say that this test to detect symptoms that may indicate that someone may be a candidate for colon cancer is now available free of charge to all our fellow citizens between the ages of 50 and 69. It is a very easy test. Fellow citizens belonging to this age group have received this message. Don’t ignore it because prevention saves lives.

A positive test does not mean, in any case, that someone has cancer. But, it is an indication so that we can proceed with further tests. I should also emphasize that the whole process is free and covered in case the test is positive”, said the Prime Minister.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was informed by the pharmacist about the conduct of the test and about the citizens’ response to the program.

“We have seen great interest. The picture is very positive. It is characteristic that they told us that they were thinking about it and now they were motivated by the campaign that is being done and the message they received. Around 100 people have taken it from our pharmacy so far,” said the pharmacist.

The prime minister pointed out that “the main message that we have to pass, and we need you as participants in this effort, is to fight fear, because it is a simple test but we are all afraid. And if we learn something we don’t want to know? The answer to this is that the sooner we know something we might have, the better chance we have of dealing with it. And especially for colon cancer, early diagnosis is practically equivalent to a complete cure. So it is very important to promote this program.

And for me it is also the best proof that in the end we have to have a state that takes care of the citizens and the best care we can provide is to invest in prevention. Always when we think about, you know, health issues, we only think about hospitals. And of course we are making a great effort to improve the quality of the services provided in our hospitals, but the big bet is how we will not reach the hospitals.

The more we invest in prevention and public health, the fewer cases we will ultimately have of our fellow citizens having to go to hospital, putting their lives at risk or, even if they recover, suffering too much.

So, prevention saves lives. We want you as allies, however, in this great effort.”

“We are trying and I think the response is very positive and will proceed at a rapid pace,” noted the pharmacist.

The colon cancer prevention program is aimed at 3.8 million men and women, aged 50-69, and includes a free self-test (self-diagnostic test) and, in case of a positive self-test result, a free visit to medical gastroenterologist for clinical assessment, diagnostic colonoscopy and biopsy. To date, referrals have been issued for 1,461,560 beneficiaries.