By Evie Andreou
Last year 602 women and four men were diagnosed with breast cancer in Cyprus, and 64 others died, the head of Europa Donna Cyprus Evi Papadopoulou said on Wednesday.
Papadopoulou revealed the statistics during a news conference to announce the annual breast cancer awareness walk, which will take place on October 10.
This year the event, which is supported for the sixth consecutive year by Piraeus Bank, has as its theme the steps people take to combat cancer.
“Our steps have power. In the fight against cancer all of our steps will become one for all the women. Everyone must participate in this walk in support of life,” Papadopoulou said. Participants will don the customary pink scarf and use pink shoelaces.
Around 7,000 people participated in last year’s awareness walk, she said, while more than 21,000 people signed the online petition which was urging the then Health Minister Philippos Patsalis to take the necessary steps for the creation of a specialised breast centre in Cyprus, according to the European Parliament resolution on breast cancer. The resolution calls on member states to ensure nationwide provision of interdisciplinary breast centres in accordance with EU guidelines by 2016.
She added that the health ministry announced last week that around half the funds needed for the creation of the breast centre have been approved from the ministry’s 2016 budget, but that the remaining sum needs to be approved by the finance ministry.
“We march this year in hope that we will receive the green light form the finance ministry to satisfy these demands. Mr Harris Georgiades, we urge you to respond promptly and approve the rest of the budget needed so that this centre becomes a reality,” Papadopoulou said.
She added that according to statistics, the creation of the breast centre would translate into 30 per cent fewer deaths. “Thirty per cent less deaths of Cyprus’ mothers, sisters, of our friends and daughters,” she said.
Papadopoulou said that Europa Donna Cyprus has launched this year its “Gnorizo” programme, which aims to better inform the public on breast cancer through presentations, speeches and gatherings islandwide.
It also continues to help women with breast cancer through its “Stirizo” programme which provides psychological support and “Epistithies files” programme which provides special bras, free of charge, to women who have had mastectomies, and wigs to women whose hair has fallen due to chemotherapy.
From the beginning of the year to date, Europa Donna Cyprus gave out 99 wigs and 146 special bras. It has supported 28 women with financial assistance and given out ‘love packages’ to 40 families of women with breast cancer.
CEO of Pireaus Bank George Appios, also stressed the importance of establishing a breast cancer centre.
“In real numbers, had the breast cancer centre existed today, we would have here with us 19 more women, 19 more lives out of the 64 that were lost due to the disease in 2014,” Appios said.
The walk will begin at 5pm from the Makarios Avenue parking space and will end at the Bank of Pireaus building, where 602 pink and four blue silhouettes will be placed, for the new breast cancer cases diagnosed last year and 64 white for the women who lost the battle with the disease.
This year, the organisation has also circulated art raffle tickets, €2 each, to raise funds for its support programmes. Tickets are available at the Europa Donna houses in all towns. The raffle prizes are art works donated by local artists. The draw will take place on December 14.
Throughout October, which is breast cancer awareness month, there will also be a number of events, including dance shows and lectures.
For more information visit http://www.europadonna.com.cy
