THERE WERE over 500 new reported cases of breast cancer in 2008, yet the state is still dragging its heels in preparing a complete policy, campaigners said yesterday.
Amid a strong sense of déjà vu, Europa Donna – Cyprus (ED-Cy) yesterday repeated its plea for a breast cancer centre, for the umpteenth time, as part of Cyprus’ obligation towards the relevant EU resolutions of 2003 and 2006.
According to ED-Cy head Stella Kyriakidou, the state needs to have a much more active role in making sure these resolutions are implemented.
“But this is not the case,” she explained. “As an example, I would like to point out that just one letter of ours, sent in April 2008, has been answered by the Health Ministry. This saddens and concerns us.”
Other EU states, she added, enjoy the full support of their ministries for health.
There have been improvements in certain areas, Kyriakidou admitted. “We have recognition of the right to rehabilitation, free silicone prostheses and wigs for women paid by the treasuries of companies such as the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and Cyprus Telecommunications Authority; but these steps are much smaller than the ones that should have been taken.”
The creation of a breast cancer centre was of the utmost importance – a point Kyriakidou has stressed for years now. “Unfortunately, we are still far away from this happening.”
Making matters worse, medical treatment offered by both the public and the private sectors is far from satisfactory.
“For example, the other day we received a complaint from a female patient that she hadn’t received the results of her biopsy for over three weeks,” said Kyriakidou. “This does not only mean psychological upset, but also a significant loss of time; and as you know, loss of time is a critical affair.”
Furthermore, repair surgeries and treatments are being cancelled due to lack of equipment, consumables and staff. ED-Cy has repeatedly stepped in with its own funds to ensure biopsies are carried out in time.
“No more. There were 532 new [breast cancer] cases in 2008. The authorities can’t keep turning a blind eye to reality,” said Kyriakidou. For this reason, she added, the association would from now on hold once-monthly press conferences to inform the public on the progress that is being made.
“As much as certain people may be against this, we will fight this battle,” she warned. “And we will win it by simply uniting the forces of our 2,300 members.”
EUROPA DONNA Cyprus – 2009 campaign
October 7 at the Europa Donna House in Nicosia: Round table discussion on breast cancer, with the participation of an oncologist, surgeon, plastic surgeon, dietician, psychologist and physiotherapist. Patients will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions
October 10 at the Europa Donna House: Look Good – Feel Good event: Beauty treatments to help women during and after treatment for breast cancer. Women will take part in Tai Chi lessons, receive hair and make-up treatments, as well as get educated on diet and exercise.
October 15 – House of Representatives: ED-Cy will campaign outside Parliament.
October 17 – Europa Donna march in Nicosia: Will start at 6 pm outside Mondo Café on Makarios Avenue and end at EAC building – the association will hand out 532 pink figurines to symbolise the new reported cases in 2008, 92 white ones to signify the number of lives lost to breast cancer in 2008 and five blue figurines, symbolising the number of men suffering from the disease.
November 11 – opening of Europa Donna – Cyprus House in Larnaca
