The “MAST movement”, a life journey of the Hellenic Cancer Society (HCS), travelled to Patmos and Lipsi, along with the “+plefsi” (Siblefsi) Non Profit Organization.
This is a massive campaign for the prevention and information about Breast Cancer, in Greek peripheral regions. The program’s aim is for every woman, in every corner of the country, to be informed, to prevent and to be cured from breast cancer – the most frequent malignancy currently appearing in Greek women, with the estimated number of annual new cases rising up to 5000.
The “MAST movement” is realized with the support of KEDE and EDDYPPY, as well as the kind sponsorship of ELPEN. Importantly, this is an activity of significant social contribution for ELPEN, since the company does not produce, nor does it market oncological drugs. Within the context of the program, mammograms are performed for free, upon appointment, for unemployed and uninsured women over the age of 40, who have no access or are unable to undergo mammography screening.
On May 5th, 2017, the HCS Mobile Mammography Unit visited the Medical Center of the Municipality of Lipsi, while on May 7th, the Unit performed mammograms at the “Patmion” Cultural Center of Patmos.
Access to both islands is rather adverse, due to a lack of frequent shipping routes. However, the contribution of «+plefsi» was pivotal: the organization ensured transportation of the HCS personnel to Lipsi by means of inflatable craft. Notably, the assistance offered by locals on both islands was equally important for the Unit’s transition to Lipsi from Patmos and its return to Patmos for the continuation of the program.
Early breast cancer diagnosis can be achieved through auto-examination, clinical examination by a physician, and mammography. The latter is the most common examination, as its diagnostic capacity is very high. Thanks to significant medical advances, current treatments are more effective and more personalized, thereby contributing to a better life quality. Equally important though is the fact that more women undergo preventive examinations nowadays, and as a result, the disease is discovered during its early stages, when treatments are more effective and can lead to cure.