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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I participate in today's event organized by the Standing Committee of the Cyprus Federation of Patients' Associations (OSAK) in collaboration with the National Cancer Committee on the topic: "Cyprus and the European Cancer Plan". The aim of today's workshop is to highlight the challenges that our country faces in relation to the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy and the ways to address and manage them.
According to the latest figures from the European Union, in the year 2020, 2.7 million people in Europe were diagnosed with cancer, while 1.3 million people lost their lives.
According to the latest figures from the European Union, in the year 2020, 2.7 million people in Europe were diagnosed with cancer, while 1.3 million people lost their lives. At the same time, the European Union predicts that one in two European citizens will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, leading to long-term consequences on their quality of life and beyond.
It was in this context that the European Commission, with a strong and resilient Europe in the field of health as a key concern, has developed the European Cancer Plan, which is a fundamental priority.
In Cyprus, according to the latest official data from the Cancer Registry, in which all new cancer cases since 1998 are recorded in detail, cancer, as in other countries, is increasing in frequency.
In this context, the State, with the health of every citizen suffering from any form of cancer in mind, has adopted and is implementing important actions in accordance with the main pillars of the European Action Plan.
Within the framework of this Plan and the National Cancer Strategy, the Ministry of Health is developing health policies with particular emphasis on where our efforts should be focused in the first stage, on prevention, in cooperation with other competent bodies, with civil society - which is doing an incredible job, particularly on health issues - to address the risk factors that predispose to the development of cancer, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, environmental and genetic factors.
At the same time, through the actions of the school medical service and the health promotion programmes implemented in our schools, we aim to educate our children on the need to adopt healthy lifestyles. And that is where our focus should be especially on the issue of prevention. At the same time, the implementation of the HPV vaccination programme for both girls and boys from the age of 11 is a major intervention for cancer prevention.
With regard to the need for early diagnosis and treatment, the State has been implementing for twenty years, all previous Governments have paid special attention to the health sector, the population-based screening programme for breast cancer detection. Mammography Centres operate in all provinces of Cyprus, so that the entire population has access to them, while at the same time these Centres have been upgraded in terms of infrastructure, equipment and staffing.
It is worth noting, to express the thanks of the State, that following a significant donation from OPAP, the Centres have been equipped with state-of-the-art digital mammography machines with the ability to perform high-resolution tomosynthesis. At the same time, their opening hours have been extended to include evening hours, so that they can also serve our working citizens.
With regard to other screening programmes that we expect to implement in the near future, I would like to mention that the procedures for the planning of the programme for colorectal cancer are already well advanced. This programme will be targeted at the 50-74 age group and the whole process will be carried out through the OAI system. Also, the implementation of the programme for prostate cancer in men aged 50-60 years is being rolled out through the PSA test, while the same is being done for cervical cancer, respectively, in women.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health is assisting in actions aimed at relieving both the sufferers and their families through the provision of relevant support services, such as psychological and social support, physiotherapy, and loss support. In particular, for palliative health care, both inpatient and home-based palliative care services have already been integrated into the General Health System. At the same time, a bill on palliative care is being prepared and will be approved by the Council of Ministers in the near future.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that as a State we have placed the treatment of cancer among our most important priorities and we will continue to work in a targeted manner for the implementation of all relevant actions, as well as in the health sector in general. Many important steps have been taken, which we recognise and welcome, but more needs to be done. We recently had a very good meeting with the OASC following up on previous meetings and agreed on specific timetables for how we move forward in the coming period.
Let me take this opportunity to thank the Standing Cancer Committee of the Cyprus Patients' Association Federation and the National Cancer Committee for the important role they play as well as all the voluntary organisations that are active in the field of cancer and other areas and are doing a huge amount of work.
Our goals are common and can only be achieved through collective effort and cooperation. Without all of you we cannot succeed. We will always be by your side in the very worthwhile and substantial work you are doing.
(PM/KC/ASP)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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