27 Apr 2024
Greece is implementing for the first time in its history a comprehensive National Program for Prevention.
As part of the “Spyros Doxiadis” National Prevention Programme, on 26 April 2024, the Ministry of Health presented the National Screening Programme “Prolamvano” (“I prevent”), with the central message “prevention saves lives”.
The program is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund (EUR 200 million until 2025) and includes:
- breast cancer screenings covering 1.4 million women aged 45–75 and offers a free digital mammogram, a free ultrasound, and a free visit to a doctor for women who have findings;
- cervical cancer screenings (free HPV molecular test DNA, test pap, colposcopy, and biopsy for women with clinical findings) covering 2.5 million women aged 21–65;
- colon cancer screenings for 3.8 million of the population aged 50–65 including a free examination with special tests that people can obtain from pharmacies and a free diagnostic colonoscopy;
- Preventive examinations for cardiovascular diseases are offered to 5.5 million people aged 30–70, including free visits to doctors and free lipid profile blood tests.
The beneficiaries of the above screenings will receive a digital prescription by text message to their mobile phone or e-mail.
Roula Skourogianni