Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026: Understanding the evidence, overcoming barriers to early detection and making preventive healthcare accessible to every woman.
Early detection can save lives
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Greece and one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide.
However, advances in early detection, diagnosis and treatment have substantially improved outcomes. When breast cancer is identified before it has spread beyond the breast, the chances of successful treatment are considerably higher.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with localised breast cancer in the United States exceeds 99%. This figure reflects population-level survival data rather than an individual prognosis, and it should not be interpreted as a guaranteed cure rate or as a Greece-specific statistic.
These findings highlight the importance of timely diagnosis, access to appropriate screening and high-quality treatment.
Early detection is not simply a medical recommendation. It is an opportunity to protect health, preserve quality of life and improve outcomes.
As October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, understanding the situation in Greece is particularly important: How common is breast cancer? What prevents women from participating in screening? And how can national prevention programmes help overcome these barriers?
1. Breast cancer statistics: Greece and the European Union
Breast cancer in Greece
According to the latest Greece country fact sheet from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), based on GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates, breast cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Greece.
The estimated figures for 2024 were:
- 8,733 new breast cancer cases.
- 2,398 deaths attributed to breast cancer.
- 31.7% of all new cancer diagnoses among women were breast cancer cases.
- 35,740 people were estimated to be living within five years of a breast cancer diagnosis.
These figures describe the substantial burden of breast cancer and the importance of sustained investment in prevention, early detection, treatment and comprehensive support.
It is important to recognise that GLOBOCAN figures are epidemiological estimates. They should not be confused with directly recorded cases from a fully comprehensive national cancer registry.
Breast cancer risk increases with age, although the disease can also affect younger women. Individual risk is influenced by several factors, including age, family history, inherited genetic variants, reproductive and hormonal factors, and lifestyle-related characteristics.
The importance of early diagnosis
Survival outcomes differ considerably depending on the extent of disease at diagnosis.
US population-based data show that five-year relative survival is higher than 99% for localised breast cancer, compared with approximately 87% for regional disease and 32% for distant disease.
These figures demonstrate the value of identifying breast cancer before it has spread, while also highlighting why treatment and supportive care remain essential at every stage.
Screening aims to detect cancer early, before symptoms develop. It does not prevent every cancer from occurring and cannot guarantee a particular outcome.
Greece has one of the highest concentrations of mammography equipment in the EU
According to Eurostat’s publication of 2 October 2026, Greece and Cyprus reported the highest availability of mammography units among EU countries with available data.
The reported figures were:
- Greece: 7.6 mammography units per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Cyprus: 6.9 units.
- Italy: 3.7 units.
- Sweden: 1.1 units.
The equipment figures refer to 2024.
These findings reveal an important distinction between the availability of medical technology and equitable access to preventive healthcare.
A relatively high number of mammography units does not automatically ensure that every woman can obtain timely screening.
Geographical distribution, appointment availability, accessibility, health literacy and socioeconomic circumstances can all influence actual access.
Eurostat’s October 2026 report does not provide a comparable 2024 screening participation rate for Greece. Therefore, the equipment data should not be interpreted as evidence of high or low participation in organised breast cancer screening.
Across the European Union, screening participation also varies substantially between countries, emphasising the importance of effective outreach, organised programmes and equitable access.
2. Why do women postpone breast cancer screening?
Access to equipment is only one component of effective prevention.
Women’s participation in screening is also influenced by personal beliefs, knowledge, previous experiences and practical circumstances.
A scientific study published in 2025 by Toska and colleagues, entitled “Translation and Validation of the Greek Version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire”, examined the Greek version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire (BCSBQ-12).
The methodological study involved 202 women in Greece aged between 21 and 69 years and confirmed the questionnaire’s three-factor structure.
The three dimensions are particularly relevant for understanding how women approach breast cancer screening.
Knowledge
Knowledge refers to women’s understanding of breast cancer, the purpose of screening, the available examinations and the importance of timely medical assessment.
Access to accurate and understandable information can help women distinguish between screening recommendations, symptoms requiring medical evaluation and misconceptions about breast cancer.
Health literacy is therefore essential. Information must be scientifically reliable, clearly communicated and accessible to women with different educational, linguistic and digital backgrounds.
Attitudes and beliefs
Personal attitudes can influence whether a woman considers screening necessary, beneficial or relevant to her circumstances.
Some women may feel healthy and therefore assume that screening is unnecessary. Others may associate mammography with fear, discomfort or anxiety about a possible diagnosis.
Addressing these concerns requires sensitive, respectful and evidence-based communication rather than messages that create guilt or fear.
Perceived and practical barriers
Barriers to breast cancer screening may include:
- Fear of receiving an abnormal result.
- Anxiety about the examination itself.
- Limited time due to employment or family responsibilities.
- Financial and transport difficulties.
- Limited access to appropriate healthcare services.
- Uncertainty about where or how to book an appointment.
- Insufficient understanding of screening recommendations.
The Greek BCSBQ-12 validation study provides a reliable instrument for investigating screening beliefs; it does not, by itself, establish the national prevalence of each barrier.
Nevertheless, broader European research has documented inequalities in screening participation associated with education, income, geographical location and disability.
Effective prevention requires more than equipment and invitations. It requires understanding the needs and circumstances of the people screening programmes are designed to reach.
3. Greece’s National “PROLAMVANO” Programme: Free breast cancer screening
A major public health initiative supporting access to early detection in Greece is the National Prevention Programme “PROLAMVANO”, which includes the “Fofi Gennimata” Breast Cancer Screening Programme.
On 13 October 2026, the Greek Ministry of Health announced the gradual distribution of new SMS notifications and electronic referrals for free breast cancer screening.
According to the Ministry, the programme is now a permanent national public health policy, financed through national resources.
Who is eligible?
Under the screening cycle announced in October 2026, the programme covers:
Women aged 45–74, whether insured or uninsured, who meet the programme’s eligibility conditions.
The Ministry identified 2,385,935 women as eligible for the new cycle.
The programme seeks to reduce financial and administrative barriers by providing access to preventive examinations without direct charges to eligible beneficiaries.
How can women arrange their screening?
Step 1: Check for an SMS notification
Women who have activated Greece’s electronic paperless prescription service (ayli syntagografisi) receive an electronic referral by SMS.
The notification supports access to the examination without the need to obtain a conventional paper prescription.
Step 2: Use your AMKA if you have not activated paperless prescriptions
Women who have not activated the paperless prescription service can still access the programme.
They can visit the official screening platform:
The platform provides information about participating diagnostic centres, their locations and contact details.
Eligible women can contact a participating centre and arrange an appointment using their AMKA, the Greek Social Security Registration Number.
Step 3: Attend the screening appointment
The programme includes a free digital mammogram and, where clinically indicated, a supplementary breast ultrasound examination.
If a finding requires additional evaluation, women should follow the medical guidance provided by the relevant healthcare professionals.
Screening does not replace diagnostic assessment when a person already has symptoms.
The impact of the first screening cycle
According to the Greek Ministry of Health’s announcement of 13 October 2026:
- 1,267,026 women underwent digital mammography during the first cycle of the breast screening programme.
- 87,231 women were identified with findings requiring further medical attention or investigation.
- More than 6,000 women were reported to have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
These figures demonstrate the scale of the initiative and the significant opportunity created by organised early detection.
An abnormal screening finding does not necessarily mean that cancer is present. Additional tests may be required to clarify the result.
The figures also underline the importance of ensuring that women with abnormal findings can access timely diagnostic follow-up and appropriate care.
4. What should women know about breast cancer prevention and screening?
Breast health involves a combination of awareness, appropriate screening, clinical assessment and attention to modifiable risk factors.
Mammography
Mammography is the principal imaging test used for breast cancer screening in women without symptoms.
The recommended age at which screening should begin and the frequency of examinations vary according to national guidelines, age and individual risk.
European guidance recommends mammography every two years for asymptomatic women aged 50–69 at average risk, with screening also considered for women aged 45–49 and 70–74 at different intervals.
For women at increased risk, including some women with a strong family history or inherited genetic variants, an individualised screening plan may be needed.
There is no universal requirement for every woman to have a baseline mammogram at 35–40 or annual screening after 40.
Women should discuss the most appropriate screening schedule with their healthcare professional.
Breast ultrasound
Breast ultrasound can provide supplementary information when clinically indicated, including in the investigation of a specific finding.
It may be useful in the assessment of certain breast abnormalities, but it does not automatically replace mammography as a routine screening examination.
Additional imaging decisions depend on individual circumstances and medical recommendations.
Breast awareness
Women are encouraged to become familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts and to seek medical advice if they notice a new or unusual change.
Possible warning signs include:
- A new lump in the breast or armpit.
- Changes in breast size or shape.
- Skin dimpling, thickening or unusual redness.
- New nipple inversion or other nipple changes.
- Spontaneous nipple discharge, particularly if bloody.
- Persistent and unexplained breast changes.
Many breast changes are not caused by cancer. Nevertheless, concerning symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional without unnecessary delay.
Formal monthly breast self-examination is not a substitute for evidence-based screening, and it is not universally recommended as a screening method.
Knowing your body is important. So is knowing when to seek medical advice.
Healthy lifestyle and risk reduction
Although no lifestyle measure can completely eliminate the risk of developing breast cancer, certain behaviours can support long-term health and may reduce cancer risk.
These include maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco use and following a balanced diet.
A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern can be part of a broader approach to health promotion.
Prevention messages should empower women without suggesting that cancer is the consequence of personal choices or that a healthy lifestyle guarantees protection.
5. From screening availability to meaningful access: The role of Kapa3
The development of national screening programmes is an important step towards improving public health.
However, their success also depends on whether women can understand the available information, navigate procedures and access services in practice.
At Kapa3 – Cancer Guidance Center, we believe that timely access to healthcare is closely connected with health literacy, social support and effective navigation within the health and welfare systems.
Our work focuses on addressing the informational, administrative and social challenges faced by people affected by cancer and their families.
Through free guidance and patient navigation services, Kapa3 supports individuals in understanding their rights, navigating administrative procedures and identifying relevant healthcare and social support resources.
Kapa3 does not replace medical professionals or provide diagnostic screening itself. Instead, it works to reduce informational and administrative barriers and to connect people with appropriate services.
The development of our digital social navigation assistant, MYRTO, further reflects our commitment to making reliable information about rights, benefits and support services more accessible.
This approach recognises that digital tools have the greatest value when they complement human support rather than replace it.
Health literacy as a foundation for prevention
Health literacy is not simply the ability to read medical information.
It includes the capacity to find, understand, evaluate and use information to make informed decisions about health.
For breast cancer screening, this can mean understanding an invitation, identifying the appropriate service, arranging an appointment and knowing what to do when further medical assessment is recommended.
Strengthening health literacy and digital inclusion can therefore contribute to more meaningful access to preventive healthcare.
Supporting equitable access
Women living in remote or underserved areas, people facing socioeconomic difficulties and those with limited digital skills may require additional guidance to access preventive services.
A person-centred approach must consider these differences rather than assume that a national programme automatically reaches everyone in the same way.
Patient navigation, community outreach, accessible communication and cooperation between healthcare providers and civil society organisations can help address such challenges.
At Kapa3, our broader mission is grounded in the belief that reliable information, guidance and practical support are essential components of equitable care.
6. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Turning information into action
October is an opportunity to renew public discussion about breast cancer, but awareness must lead to sustained action throughout the year.
The available evidence demonstrates both the progress achieved in early detection and the challenges that remain.
Greece has substantial mammography infrastructure and an expanding national prevention programme. Ensuring that these resources translate into timely, appropriate and equitable access requires continuous communication, evaluation and support.
Women need more than information about the importance of screening. They need clear guidance on eligibility, available services and the steps required to access them.
Prevention is not an act of fear. It is an act of care, awareness and informed choice.
If you are eligible for the “PROLAMVANO” programme, check for your electronic referral or visit the official platform to find a participating diagnostic centre.
If you experience symptoms or have concerns about your breast health, seek medical advice even if you are younger than the programme’s eligibility age.
And if you need guidance in navigating cancer-related services, rights or support, Kapa3 is here to help.
Because access to health should not depend on how easily someone can navigate the system.
Useful information and contact details
National Prevention Programme “PROLAMVANO”
Official screening platform: https://proliptikes.gov.gr
Kapa3 – Cancer Guidance Center
Website: https://www.kapa3.gr
Telephone: +30 210 5221424
Email: info@kapa3.gr
MYRTO – Digital Social Navigation Assistant
https://kapa3-cag-rag-hybrid-deploy.onrender.com/
The information in this article is educational and does not replace individual medical assessment or professional healthcare advice. Screening eligibility and programme procedures may change; readers should consult the official programme platform for the latest information.
References
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2026). Global Cancer Observatory: GLOBOCAN 2024 – Greece Fact Sheet.
https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/300-greece-fact-sheet.pdf - Eurostat. (2026, October 2). Breast cancer screening in the EU: A snapshot. European Commission.
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/edn-20261002-1 - Toska, A., Georga, D., Christakis, A., Fradelos, E. C., Rouka, E., Sarafis, P., & Saridi, M. (2025). Translation and Validation of the Greek Version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 26(2), 663–670.
https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.2.663 - Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Health. (2026, October 13). Συνεχίζεται το «ΠΡΟΛΑΜΒΑΝΩ»: Δωρεάν προληπτικές εξετάσεις μαστού με ένα απλό SMS. [Official press release, in Greek.]
https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/ministry/grafeio-typoy/press-releases/14839-synexizetai-to-laquo-prolambanw-raquo-dwrean-prolhptikes-eksetaseis-mastoy-me-ena-aplo-sms - European Commission. Breast Cancer Prevention – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway.
https://knowledge-for-policy.ec.europa.eu/breast-cancer-prevention_en - American Cancer Society. (2026). Survival Rates for Breast Cancer.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-survival-rates.html - American Cancer Society. Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html
