Cancer cases increase but still low compared to EU

AT LEAST 3,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in Cyprus each year, as 1,200 people die from the disease, data shows.

According to the data obtained by the Cyprus News Agency yesterday, at least 3,000 new cases are diagnosed every year with breast cancer being the leading form in women, and prostate cancer in men.

“There is a significant rise since records started being kept, between 1998 and 2009,” said Pavlos Pavlou, head of the health monitoring unit.

Pavlou was positive, however, despite an increase of about 3.0 per cent, or 3,000 people a year.

“Cancer is a very common disease around the world and Cyprus is at relatively low levels when compared with other European countries,” he said.

The most common forms of cancer in men between 2005 and 2009 were prostate, colorectal, throat, lung, bladder, stomach, and Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Breast cancer was by far the leading form of the disease in women, followed by colorectal, thyroid, uterus, throat, lung and Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Nicos Philippou, director of the cancer patients and friends association, said health authorities should focus on “cancer that can be prevented and cancer that we can treat.”

Phillipou said substantive steps have been made as regards treatment, but also prevention and early diagnosis.

“We always stress that we must concentrate on the prevention aspect. There are oncology centres in Cyprus where good work is being done,” he said.