Page 89 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

donated the Centre’s mammography equipment is 85% rural, predominantly under-educated
for x-ray mammograms. women from farming communities. These women
As the needs of the Panagia Philanthropini Cen- are often unaware of the risk of breast cancer
tre grew, medical equipment and infrastructure and do not have other screening options. With-
investments necessary for the efficient operation out the centre’s services, the region’s low-income
of the services were made through the generous women would only be diagnosed at a late stage,
donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. leading to a poor prognosis resulting in unnec-
The Athanasios and Marina Martinou Founda- essary suffering and invasive treatment.
tion, AEGEAS, lovingly contributed to the centre, By detecting early-stage breast cancer and
enabling it to reach more needy and vulnerable employing less invasive treatments, the centre
populations. prevents the deterioration of the social fabric
Populations that have benefited include finan- of these fragile populations, keeping women
cially needy Greek, minorities, and immigrant healthy and productive and improving their
women. What they have in common is that they quality of life.
are socially marginalised and at risk of becoming When funds are available, the centre provides
victims because of cultural and social tensions medical care for homeless, immigrant and Roma
and the challenges of being part of the lower children. Having travelled hundreds of miles on
strata of Greek society. The cancer screen- foot, alone, and often in grave danger, these
ing program highlights the common concerns precious children need loving care and medical
of participating women and plays a small but attention.
potentially important role in creating solidarity If resources permit, the Centre organises highly
and social cohesion. In addition to native Greek technical medical workshops for breast health
Orthodox Christians, target groups include Turk- practitioners, including radiologists, radiology
ish, Pomak, and Roma-speaking women. technologists, medical physicists, oncologists,
The Panagia Philanthropini Centre has screened general practitioners, nurses, and lay health
more than 26,000 women and performed practitioners. These workshops are led by breast
120,000 screening tests and approximately top health experts from European and Ameri-
600,000 mammograms. The target population can Medical Centres of Excellence. They have

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