Πέμπτη 28.03.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Breast cancer awareness in Corfu

breast cancer
31 Οκτωβρίου 2021 / 10:19

CORFU. Awareness-raising event organised by the Corfu branch of the Hellenic Cancer Society, the Surgical Association and ΄Sympleo΄ Friends of the Hospital Society.

The bad news is that 7,500 women in Greece are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and 8 in a 100 worldwide. The good news is that it can be successfully treated if diagnosed early.



With mammographies this is entirely possible - this was the message that was being conveyed to the public yesterday in Corfu Town by the Corfu branch of the Hellenic Cancer Society, the Surgical Association and ΄Sympleo΄ Friends of the Hospital Society.

Personal experiences

During discussions with passersby, it became clear that there were many women who had personal experiences - either themselves or with others close to them.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the problem came to the forefront in Greece with the tragic passing of Fofi Gennimata.



"Life expectancy has increased so much that there are many women with breast cancer who die from other causes rather than cencer," the President of the Corfu branch of the Hellenic Cancer Society Maria Gonidi told Enimerosi and stressed that, "We need to love and take care of ourselves and demand health care for all without exception or discrimination."

The coronavirus pandemic

"Over the recent period, unfortunately, health services have been focussing on the coronavirus pandemic but the other health rpoblems haven't gone away," she continued. "A lot of medical examinations have been put back, but we need to 'sound the alarm' that cancer still exists and is spreading rapidly, which is why screening and prevention is so important."



"Every woman needs to take care of herself - conduct self-examinations and a mammography every year as well as ensuring she has a good diet and way of life," says the President of Corfu Surgical Association Maria Mandila-Kousouni.

"After a woman has turned 40, she should have a mammography every year, but if there is family history, then she should start ten years earlier," she continued. "Positive thinking is also important. Even after having been diagnosed, you mustn't give up - with the proper response and treatment all can go well."