In Cyprus, the new cases of cancer are around 3 thousand a year, said the Minister of Health Androula Agrotou, who added that cancer nowadays has reached epidemic proportions, almost a pandemic, since one in three Europeans will get cancer.
In a speech on the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Minister of Health said that "cancer is the second leading cause of death in Europe and has a growing trend around the world", noting that "in some countries it has already become the first cause, overcoming cardiovascular disease ".
"Based on these data," he said, "the Council of the European Union, in a series of decisions, called on the Member States in June 2008 to develop strategies to reduce cancer. "The Ministry of Health was one of the first Ministries to act immediately, following the decisions of the European Union and to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan, based on prevention, treatment, palliative care and research."
He added that with the appointment of the National Commission by the Council of Ministers, this is the first time that the Republic of Cyprus gives an organized response to the issue of cancer, adding that "last year the President of the National Commission for the treatment of the disease Dr. Adamos Adamou handed over the Action Plan against cancer ".
The National Commission, he said, "worked very systematically and hard and the result will contribute catalytically to our joint effort. Based on the suggestions of the National Committee, many achievements have been made. The Ministry of Health has developed excellent health education programs, in the context of commentary, aiming at a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, the program for the promotion of health in the communities continues, which was immediately embraced by the public, which has as its subject the most common types of cancers ".
He added that "the population control for breast cancer is constantly enriched by the introduction of a computer program and the introduction of high-tech digital mammograms", adding that "the woman of Cyprus today is in a privileged position compared to most Europeans".
Referring to digital mammography, she said that "it provides the possibility of better imaging and makes visible even the smallest alterations in the morphology of the breast", noting that "it has as an additional advantage the less radiation exposure of the woman".
In addition, he said that "in each hospital it was enriched with the new technology of tomosynthesis, ie the ability to realistically display the tumor in thin sections with digital media, so that it is possible to study many details and separate it from the surrounding tissue."
Regarding bowel cancer, the Minister of Health said that in the coming days the implementation of a population screening program from the province of Larnaca will begin and will gradually spread throughout Cyprus. "Our program follows European guidelines and offers a free stool test to detect invisible blood in men and women aged 50-69. "In case of a positive result, the citizen is offered free colonoscopy, biopsy and removal of polyps in case there are similar findings", he said.
In the field of treatment, he said that the Ministry of Health provides all the modern pharmacotherapy and techniques, so that patients do not lag behind any of the other European citizens.
At the same time, he stated that the Action Plan sets as a priority the creation of a Breast Center and later a Center of the Gastrointestinal System, with the aim of holistic treatment of these two very common cancers.
El. Christofia: Coordinated action is needed for cancer
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus is implementing the vision of developing a National Cancer Strategy, however, the reduction of cases is a goal that can be achieved by taking coordinated action and implementing a targeted and stable policy with a well-organized framework that will cover the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research, said the wife of the President of the Republic and President of the Oncology Center Elsi Christofia in a greeting at a press conference on World Cancer Day.
Ms. Christofia, according to an official announcement, stated that the common goal of all of us is to create a society with as little pain and more humanity as possible and reaffirmed the commitment to upgrade the services of voluntary organizations and the state for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.
He went on to say that cancer is a matter for all of us and not just patients, anti-cancer organizations and the Ministry of Health, adding that hope and vision is a future with as few human lives as possible due to cancer.
Referring in particular to the World Cancer Day, Ms. Christofia said that the goal is to dispel the myths surrounding this disease, such as that cancer is only a matter of health, adding that cancer is an issue that has huge social and economic consequences.
"Low quality of life tends to increase the risk of cancer, while the disease can lead families into financial hardship. Of course, in our country these consequences are reduced since the state provides free care to patients diagnosed with cancer ", he continued.
Ms. Christofia also said that cancer is a global epidemic, which affects all ages and social groups regardless of race or class, while today many forms of the disease are fully cured and for many others there are effective treatments.
He went on to say that with the right actions 30% of cancers can be prevented, by simply changing bad habits and lifestyle, such as the implementation of proper and healthy diet, abstinence from smoking, exercise, avoidance of abuse alcohol, avoiding excessive sun exposure, as well as vaccination to protect against some cancers.
He added that another factor that could help is frequent access to organized population programs for preventable cancers, such as colorectal cancer that can be treated early with relevant diagnostic tests and cervical cancer. with the Pap test.