February 4 was established as World Cancer Day, at the initiative of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), representing 800 organisations in 155 countries around the world. The slogan for the second consecutive year is "Close the gap in cancer care". The Ministry of Health is actively involved in the celebration of World Cancer Day through the targeted actions it continuously implements. The aim is to reduce inequalities in cancer care for all patients at all stages of the disease, in all regions, for all our fellow citizens regardless of their socio-economic status.
A necessary condition for achieving such a goal was and is the introduction of a universal health system and the creation of an enlarged community of all actors offering care to cancer patients (civil society actors, members of the academic community, health structures, state and national institutions, etc.)
Cancer can affect everyone, regardless of age, gender or social status and puts enormous pressure on the health systems of all countries. Providing better long-term care for patients living with cancer means reducing the disparities that exist both between and within each country. World Cancer Day reminds us that cancer is a huge threat to the health of our population and states should act on the pillars of prevention, early intervention, treatment and improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
According to European Union figures for 2020, 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the European Union, while another 1.3 million people died because of cancer, including more than 2 000 young people. In Cyprus, according to the Cancer Registry, approximately 3,700 new cases of cancer are recorded every year.
The Ministry of Health, following the European Strategic Plan for Cancer and taking seriously the long-standing recommendations of the European Commission, tries to reduce cancer through the actions it develops. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has undertaken the following actions. Through the programme many women have been completely cured, detecting cancer at early - pre-clinical stages. Soon, to serve the women of Paphos District, the Mammography Centre at the new Geroskipou Health Centre will start its operation, as well as the one in Famagusta, with the complete renovation of part of the Outpatient Clinic building of the Old Famagusta Hospital. Finally, building upgrades have been completed at the other Pancyprian Centres. At the same time, with the sponsorship of OPAP, the mammographs of the Mammography Centres in all five Districts are being replaced with modern high-tech digital mammographs capable of tomosynthesis.
- The implementation of the population programme for the detection of colorectal cancer is being promoted. The programme will be implemented based on the best practices implemented by European countries.
- The nine-valent vaccine against human papillomavirus - HPV was introduced to children aged 11-12 years
- Significant grants are provided to Voluntary Organisations to run a variety of programmes in the community to actively engage them in providing quality community care services.
- The appointment, with a new composition, of the National Cancer Commission which will be the first board of the National Cancer Institute. The Institute will be the scientific body of expertise in the field of cancer and will be responsible for the organization and coordination of all activities related to cancer treatment. The study for its establishment has been completed and the necessary procedures are being followed to approve the study and institutionalise its establishment.
With regard to palliative health care:
- Institutional palliative care services have been integrated through the GESY. It is expected that other providers with the capacity to provide specialised palliative care for people with malignancy will be included to ensure the adequacy of these services under the GHS.
- Home-based palliative care has been included in the SHI. The reimbursement of these services provides for comprehensive health care for people with malignancy who need palliative care for themselves and their families. The services provided provide for the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, with the participation of doctors, other health professionals, nurses, etc.
- The Ministry of Health is preparing a legal framework for the provision of palliative care services to suffering patients, which will include quality assurance of the services provided, the operation and structure of palliative care centres.
It is also stressed that following the decisive intervention of the Minister of Health, Mr. Michalis Hadjipantelas, an agreement was reached from 1 January 2023, for the establishment of the right to be forgotten for life insurance for people with a history of cancer, as part of an important agreement between Europa Donna Cyprus and the Association of Cyprus Insurance Companies (SAEK).
The "Right to Life" agreement makes Cyprus a pioneering EU member state on this important social issue.
(AF)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
