Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Cyprus, with 350 to 400 new cases diagnosed annually, according to President of the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology, Dr Andreas Evgeniou.

Speaking on the occasion of European Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, he emphasised the importance of prevention and early detection, noting that six out of ten cases can be successfully treated through preventive screenings.

At a press conference in Nicosia, the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology, the Cyprus Medical Association, and pharmaceutical company Medochemie announced their continued collaboration to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer. The campaign highlights the significance of early detection and preventive measures.

During the event, experts discussed risk factors, the benefits of early screening and modern diagnostic and treatment methods. Evgeniou stressed that Cyprus has a high survival rate for colorectal cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 72.1 per cent, surpassing the EU average of 60 per cent.

He also pointed out that countries with established screening programmes have reduced mortality rates by 30-50 per cent and expressed hope that Cyprus will soon implement a national screening initiative.

Board member of the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology, Dr Louis Loizou, warned that “Colorectal cancer is becoming more aggressive, increasingly affecting younger people and often being diagnosed at an advanced stage.”

He attributed this shift to changes in lifestyle and diet, urging the government to take immediate action and introduce preventive screening programmes.

President of the Cyprus Medical Association, Dr Petros Agathangelou, praised the initiative, calling it a “landmark campaign for raising awareness and preventing colorectal cancer.”

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide and the most prevalent form of gastrointestinal cancer. In Europe, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, following lung cancer.

While the disease primarily affects individuals over 50, cases in younger populations are on the rise, underscoring the urgent need for early detection and prevention.