The self-test for colon cancer, within the framework of the National Prevention Program “PROLAMPANO”, was procured by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a morning visit to a pharmacy in the center of Athens.
“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,” said the prime minister.
He added: “At a time when we are placing a very strong emphasis on prevention, the continuation of this program for other diseases is of great importance. And here to say that this test to detect symptoms, which 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 got 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”.
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 typical that they were thinking about it and now they are motivated by the campaign that is being made and the message that they have 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 that is that the sooner we know something we might have, the better chance we have of dealing with it.”
Mr. Mitsotakis added: “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 must have a state that takes care of 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 Prime Minister emphasized that “The more we invest in prevention and public health, the fewer cases we will have, ultimately, of our fellow citizens who will be forced to go to the hospital, put their lives at risk or, even if they recover, suffer too. 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.
#selftest #colon #cancer #procured
