Cyprus is taking proactive measures to combat the rising trend of cancer through comprehensive action plans focused on prevention and education. Initiatives include developing health policies, implementing population-based screening programs, and investing in accessible healthcare infrastructure for cancer screenings.
What is Cyprus doing to prevent the increasing trend of cancer?
Cyprus is tackling the rise in cancer cases with comprehensive action plans focused on prevention and education. Initiatives include:
- Developing health policies targeting lifestyle, environmental, and genetic risk factors.
- Enhancing public education on healthy choices, especially for children.
- Implementing population-based screening programs for breast, colorectal, prostate, and cervical cancers.
- Investing in healthcare infrastructure for accessible cancer screenings.
Battling the Upward Trend of Cancer
In an era where health challenges keep evolving, Cyprus has maintained commendable cancer mortality rates, considered among the lowest within the European Union. However, this status faces threats as trends show a rise in the occurrence of the disease. Experts highlighted this alarming development at the ‘Cyprus and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’ conference held last Friday.
Government Initiatives and Action Plans
President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking at the conference, reiterated the government’s commitment to combatting cancer, citing it as a high priority. His administration is actively rolling out comprehensive action plans. The health ministry’s proactive approach includes the development of health policies that underline the significance of prevention. These policies address various risk factors including lifestyle choices like smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as environmental, health-related, and genetic predispositions.
The Focus on Prevention and Education
Education is at the forefront of Cyprus’s battle against cancer. President Christodoulides emphasized the importance of instilling healthy habits from a young age, “We aim to educate children on the importance of adopting healthy choices…That is where our focus should be, particularly on prevention.” The country’s cancer registry, with data since 1998, shows a steady climb in cancer cases each year, highlighting the urgency for these preventive measures.
Addressing the Leading Causes of Cancer Mortality
Cyprus’s leading causes of cancer-related deaths have been identified, with men most commonly succumbing to lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, and women to breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Experts at the conference warned that without decisive intervention, cancer cases could spike by 24% by 2035, potentially making it the top cause of death in the EU.
Screening Programs and Accessible Healthcare
The Cypriot government boasts a two-decade-long history of implementing population-based screening for breast cancer detection. “Mammography centres operate in all provinces of Cyprus, so that the entire population has access to them,” remarked Christodoulides, noting the recent improvements in infrastructure, equipment, and staffing. Plans are underway to introduce colorectal cancer screenings for individuals between 50 and 74 years old, alongside screenings for prostate cancer in men aged 50-60 and cervical cancer in women.
European Union’s Vision for Cancer Reduction
Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, presented the ‘Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’, outlining strategies to curtail cancer rates and associated mortality. The EU diagnosed 2.7 million people with cancer in 2020, with 1.3 million fatalities. The statistics further reveal a sobering prediction that half of EU citizens will face cancer in their lifetimes, affecting their quality of life in the long term.
Media and Reporting
Andria Kades, the chief reporter at Cyprus Mail and a journalist since 2015, covers political, human rights, and mental health issues.
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Please note that the article is to inform about recent developments in Cyprus’s cancer prevention efforts and related health policies and does not include personal opinions or reflections. For more in-depth information or specific queries, readers are encouraged to reach out to the official sources or contact the Cyprus Mail directly.
Quick Recap
- Cyprus is taking proactive measures to combat the rising trend of cancer through comprehensive action plans focused on prevention and education.
- Initiatives include developing health policies, implementing population-based screening programs, and investing in accessible healthcare infrastructure for cancer screenings.
- Cyprus has maintained commendable cancer mortality rates, but trends show a rise in the occurrence of the disease.
- The government is actively rolling out comprehensive action plans, addressing risk factors and emphasizing the importance of prevention and education.
- Without decisive intervention, cancer cases in Cyprus could spike by 24% by 2035, potentially making it the top cause of death in the EU.
