Voluntary scheme in Larnaca showing extent of possible colon cancer
By Evie Andreou
THE INITIAL results of a voluntary pilot screening test to detect and prevent colon cancer, currently being carried out by the health ministry, has already helped saved lives.
The test, started in April 2013 in the Larnaca district, showed a significant number of high risk cases for developing colon cancer which if diagnosed early is completely curable. The problem is it rarely presents any symptoms except in the final stages.
Worldwide, colon cancer is among the most common forms of cancer. According to the health ministry’s statistics, each year around 350 new cases are detected in Cyprus, and around 100 people die annually from colon cancer.
“It is the most common cancer among both sexes; in men lung cancer is first and in women breast cancer, but jointly it is number one,” said Dr Stala Kioupi, health ministry medical officer and coordinator of the colon cancer screening test.
So far five communities in the Larnaca district have been invited to take the test, and the aim is to test every community and municipality in the area. The project should be completed by the end of 2015, with the goal to implement it on a national level.
The screening test targets people aged between 50 and 69, the age group most at risk of developing colon cancer.
“We chose Larnaca because the population of people aged between 50 and 69, around 24,000, is enough to help us get the indicative results needed to draw conclusions and help us get support to implement the programme island-wide,” Kioupi said.
Athienou was the first municipality tested and the most successful in terms of participation, as 45 per cent of the 1018 people in the target age group invited to take the test responded. The tests showed 38 positive results including two high risk cases.
In Aradippou 3,300 residents were offered tests. Of the 23 per cent which responded, 53 per cent showed positive results including two high-risk cases.
“They might mean nothing to you, but these results, they are the results that define the future of this programme. They are shocking because we have small communities with a very small number of inhabitants and with two or three cancer cases,” Kioupi said.
“Screening tests are important because if we detect a disease before it presents any symptoms, we prevent the development of a disease with the result of timely medical intervention.”
The ministry is still receiving results from Dromolaxia, Meneou and Kiti, where among the 2900 people invited to get tested, 26 positive results have so far been found including three high-risk cases.
She said that the scheme has the full support of Health Minister Philippos Patsalis and one of his priorities is to secure funds to computerise the screening programmes.
“There many clues that computerisation might give us, because there are many factors that may lead to higher percentages of cancer in some areas than others, nutrition, environment, stress etc,” Kioupi said.
Residents of Tersefanou and Pervolia have also been invited to take tests.
To find if there are abnormalities in the colon, such as polypi – some types of which can evolve into cancer – the histochemical method is used to detect blood in the faeces, Kioupi explained.
“If the polypus remains in the colon for five years, it may evolve into cancer. High risk means that it is about to reach a pre-cancer stage,” Kioupi said.
In cases where positive results are found, a patient is directed to one of three private sector gastroenterologists, from which the ministry is paying for services, to do a colonoscopy. The removal of any polypi is then sent for biopsy.
The health ministry covers costs of the initial test, the first colonoscopy and the biopsy on any polypi found.
“If a second colonoscopy is needed, or the biopsy shows that it is cancer, from that point on the patient bears the costs. It is their decision if they are beneficiaries to seek treatment in a state hospital or go to the private sector,” Kioupi said.
She said that the ministry is trying to find ways to get more people to come and listen to publicity events organised in the communities they visit.
“People need to stop being afraid of the word cancer. They must try and prevent it from happening to them,” Kioupi said.
Dora Constantinidou, campaign manager of cancer patients and friends association PASYKAF, said that the test can help reduce deaths by more than 50 per cent and save lives.
“It is especially important that this programme started. Recipients should consider this test invitation as the greatest gift they receive through the post office,” she said.
She added that in the case of people with a family history of colorectal cancer, the next generation must be tested 10 years earlier than the age the cancer appeared in their parents.
Constantinidou sad that PASYKAF helps raise awareness by arranging for experts to inform people on colon cancer through various charity events organised by private individuals and organisations, called ‘Kafes tis agapis’ and through other events.
