The screening programme of the female population in the prevention of breast cancer was at the centre of the debate in the House Health Committee today, with the MPs' position being to lower the lower age limit from the current 50 to 45 and raise the upper age limit from 69 to 74.
In a statement after the meeting, Committee Chairman Efthimios Diplaros said that it is the standing position of its members to increase these limits, while at the same time, the Committee has established and put before the authorities that the frequency of the Pap smear test should also be increased.
As he said, what we have recorded is the intention of the Ministry of Health and all the institutions to reduce the age limit to 45 years instead of the current 50 years, always based on European guidelines and guidelines through scientific criteria and analyses carried out throughout the European Union. "We have found that immediately personal physicians who today unfortunately do not have the possibility to send women for mammograms, should also be able to be given this criterion so that women can have mammograms immediately. Breast cancer it must be said and from experience, is that when detected early it can be treated and we don't have the problems that we have," he said.
He added that based on current information there are high survival rates of women facing breast cancer, noting that in addition to lowering the age limit, it is very important for the Health Commission to see the quality provided in terms of both detection and treatment and management for breast cancer.
"That is why we have been informed today that the Department of Health is proceeding with the purchase of four digital mammography scanners which will increase the quality of services provided. We have seen the willingness of all and the Ministry of Health and all the institutions in this direction and it is something we commend. But at the same time, we will monitor the issue very closely," he said.
Citing figures, Diplaros said that from 1998 to 2018, 11,000 cases of women with breast cancer have been identified, an estimated 16% are under the age of 44 years and this is about the European Union average. She said that this issue will again be discussed by the relevant Health Committee of the Parliament.
AKEL MP Marina Nicolaou[/B] said that the expansion of the limit of the population-based cancer screening programme is more necessary than ever, stressing that in Cyprus, unfortunately, there are deviations from the existing European guidelines in a way that is not documented.
"Unfortunately, we live in a state that faithfully follows everything concerning the economic and budgetary austerity policy of the EU and, as far as the health sector and health benefits to the citizen are concerned, completely ignores them," he said.
Nicolaou said that AKEL's demand is also to increase the frequency of the Pap test offered within GESY and instead of once in 2 years, it should be carried out once a year. At the same time, AKEL calls for the HPV vaccination to be extended to boys as well.
EDEK MP Andreas Apostolou said in his statements that it is a welcome development that a few months ago a new national committee on cancer was appointed, which is being set up by excellent scientists. He expressed his satisfaction because all parties involved, the Ministry of Health and the OAS have acknowledged that all recommendations for expansion of these programmes will be made after recommendations of the national committee.[/P]He said the national committee will soon prepare a new cancer strategy and in a very short time the legislation for the creation of the national cancer institute will be put before the Parliament. Our role as MPs "is to listen to the scientists and push for their recommendations to be heard," he said.
On the issue of personal physicians, Apostolou said they are the front line of the health system and their role is to inform women about these tests but more importantly to check that women of the ages that fall under these tests go ahead and have them. He said that the quality indicators of personal physicians include informing women and checking if these cancer screenings are being done.
Source: KYPE
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