‘Early diagnosis can save lives’
EARLY diagnosis of cancer is crucial to save lives, the Health Ministry said in a statement to mark April 1-7 World Cancer Week.
“Cancer is a major public health issue, second only to cardiovascular disease in the world and in our country,” the statement said.
“Moreover, it is a global problem that can affect human rights, has social and economic implications and occurs in all age groups. Based on this, it is of great importance to protect [ourselves] against cancer.
“It is very important that individuals, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations act together with the government in the fight for cancer prevention.
“Cancer is a preventable disease. One-third of cancer cases can be prevented with the right prevention strategies.
“Controlling environmental factors such as poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, tobacco and alcohol consumption as well as exposure to the harmful effects of sunlight that affect cancer formation will reduce the incidence of cancer.
“Therefore, you can protect yourself from cancer through healthy lifestyle behaviours and extend your life through early detection thanks to screening programmes.”
Free screening for breast, bowel, and cervical cancer is available at the Cancer Screening Unit at Lefkoşa State Hospital, book by calling 0392 223 5645, the statement said.
“In our country, breast cancer screening is done by mammography for ages 40-69, vaginal smear for cervical cancer for ages 30-64 and screening for colorectal cancer by fecal occult blood test for ages 50-74.
“Thanks to such screening, the possibilities of early detection for these three types of cancer are increasing and treatments that cause severe side effects in our patients can be avoided.
“In our Cancer Screening Unit in 2020, a total of 2,314 people were screened for colorectal cancer. In addition, a total of 1,080 mammographies were performed and 722 women were screened via smear test for cervical cancer.”
The Health Ministry also referred to figures for cancer rates in the TRNC, first published in May 2018, which showed from 2012 to 2017 the most common cancers recorded were colorectal cancer in men and breast cancer in women.
Over the five-year period 3,663 new cancer cases were diagnosed – 1,854 in men and 1,809 in women. Excluding nonmelanoma malignant skin cancers, the number of cases was 3,157 (1,567 men and 1,590 women).
The five most common cancers in men are prostate, lung, bladder, colorectal cancers and lymphoma.
For women in the TRNC, the top five cancers are breast, thyroid, colorectal, and uterine cancer and lymphoma.
Looking at the distribution of cancer cases by district, the highest incidence was found in Lefkoşa with 228 cases per 100,000 people. In other districts, no higher rate than the overall incidence of North Cyprus (197 cases per 100,000 people) was found. The cancer rate in the TRNC is “similar to neighbouring countries” the Health Ministry said.