Category: Public Health Topics

Read the Greek version of this article here. VACCINE HESITANCY Vaccine hesitancy, usually expressed by the anti-vaccination movement is not a new concept, it is as old as the first vaccine introduced in the early 1800’s. The current anti-vaccination wave was triggered by an article in the Lancet in 1999 by Andrew Wakefield that claimed...

COPD was the 3rd overall cause of death, globally in 2016. –World Health Organization What is COPD? According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2018 report, “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable and treatable disease...

What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs especially affecting the alveoli that fill with pus and fluid instead of air. (alveoli are tiny air sacs that help to deliver oxygen from the air to the blood). Based on where it was acquired, pneumonia is characterized as: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Responsible for the...

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the George D. Behrakis Research Lab is sharing some very important information on Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Greece. It is characterized by the presence of abnormal cells in the breast that grow and divide rapidly and uncontrollably and have the...

Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases which can affect any body organ or system characterized by rapid, uncontrollable and abnormal cell growth and division, as well as the ability to spread throughout the body (metastasis). The cancer is usually named after the organ where it started from, for example lung cancer...

In regards to the recent Legionella pneumonia cases that were reported in Athens, on behalf of The Institute of Public Health of The American College of Greece and the George D. Behrakis RESEARCH LAB of the Hellenic Cancer Society, Professor Panagiotis Behrakis and Dr. Anna Tzortzi provided the following health information for the public regarding...

A great thing about the summer, is that it is filled with fun at the beach! Read the tips below and be safe at the beach this summer. Pay attention to environmental conditions! Check weather conditions before you swim. For example, a lot of wind means big waves and currents, while storm and lightning means...

What is Cancer? Cancer is a generic term for a group of diseases and can affect any body organ. Cancer arises from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Known environmental carcinogenic factors can be: Physical (ie. Ultraviolet radiation) Chemical (ie. Components of tobacco smoke) or Biological (ie. infections from viruses, bacteria or parasites) Presentation...

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a highly contagious illness for all ages and is spread easily from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. Flu Symptoms Fever (temperature higher than 37.8ºC) that lasts 2-5 days Headache and muscle aches Fatigue Cough and sore throat may also be present Flu symptoms usually...

The Facts Measles is a highly contagious disease transmitted through human-to-human contact but also in public spaces, even in the absence of person-to-person contact. Following exposure, approximately 90 percent of susceptible individuals will develop measles. Symptoms of measles include: Fever Feeling sick, like with a cold Loss of appetite Spots in the mouth – These...