More than 1,500 cancer-related deaths and 4,000 new cases of the disease are reported in Cyprus every year, the Pancyprian Association of Nurses said on Tuesday, World Cancer Day.
In Cyprus, around half of both women (47 per cent) and men (53 per cent) are affected by cancer, but progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment is promising.
Data showed the need for awareness, prevention and early diagnosis, as well as improved patient care and support services, the nurses association said.
Cyprus boasts high survival rates, including 99.2 per cent for prostate cancer and 92.8 per cent for breast cancer. At 72 per cent survival rate for colorectal cancer, Cyprus outperforms 24 European countries and the European average of 60 per cent.
According to the latest OECD data, Cyprus recorded a higher cancer incidence (639 per 100,000 population) than the EU average (569) in 2020. However, mortality remained lower (195 per 100,000) than the EU average (247).
For women in Cyprus, breast cancer is the most common type of the disease with around 700 cases diagnosed each year. Among men, prostate cancer is the most common cancer, accounting for 540-650 cases a year.
“Cancer is not just a medical diagnosis. It is a deeply personal issue,” experts from a range of cancer-linked organisations said on Tuesday launching a three-year campaign that will focus on the “personal journeys of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers”.
This year’s awareness raising campaign focuses on how each patient’s experience is different, under the slogan United by Unique.
The federation of patients’ associations Osak said despite the improvements, challenges, especially the equal access of services, remain.
“Cancer is both a medical and social problem, needing a modern and effective healthcare system,” Osak said, adding that ensuring quality health services to all patients was essential.
It also emphasised that early diagnosis, effective treatment and ongoing patient support are necessary.
According to the International Cancer Control unit more than 10 million people die of cancer around the world every year. This makes cancer the second most common cause of death.
Yet, around 40 per cent of cancer deaths can be linked to ‘controlled risk factors’ such as alcohol, smoking, poor diet or lack of exercise.
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