In Cyprus, based on the cancer registry, approximately 3,700 new cases of cancer are registered every year, while according to data from the European Union for 2020, 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU, while another 1.3 million people died from it, including more than 2,000 young people, according to the Ministry of Health.
< p>On the occasion of World Cancer Day, which is celebrated on February 4, the Ministry of Health states in its announcement that it participates in the celebration of World Cancer Day, in practice through the targeted actions it continuously implements with the aim of reducing inequalities in the care of cancer patients for all patients at all stages of the disease, in all regions, for all our fellow citizens regardless of their socio-economic status.
It is also reported that, after the decisive intervention of the Minister of Health, Michalis Hatzipantela, an agreement was reached from January 1, 2023, to grant the right to be forgotten for life insurance for people with a history of cancer, in the context of an important agreement between Europa Donna Cyprus and of the Association of Insurance Companies of Cyprus (SAEK).
The “Right to be Forgotten” agreement makes Cyprus a pioneer EU member state in this important social issue, according to the announcement.
< p>A necessary condition for the achievement of such a goal was and is the introduction of a universal health system and the creation of an expanded community of all actors who offer care to cancer patients (civil society actors, members of the academic community, health structures, state and state institutions et al.), according to the announcement.
“World Cancer Day reminds us that cancer is a huge threat to the health of our population and states should act on the pillars of prevention, early intervention, treatment, improving the quality of life of cancer patients” , is added.
The Ministry of Health, following the European Strategic Plan for Cancer and taking seriously the long-term recommendations of the European Commission, is trying to limit it through the actions it develops, the announcement states, and it is added that the Ministry of Health has proceeded, among other things, to expand population breast control program for women covering the ages of 45-74 years, in the implementation of the population program for the detection of colon cancer while the univalent vaccine against the human papillomavirus was included – HPV to children aged 11-12.
He also proceeded to appoint, with a new composition, of the National Cancer Committee which will form the first board of directors of the National Cancer Institute.
Regarding palliative health care, the Ministry of Health states in its announcement that, among other things, institutional palliative care services have joined through the National Cancer Institute care, palliative care at home has been included in the NHS, while the Ministry of Health is preparing the framework for a law on the provision of palliative care services to sick patients, which will include ensuring the quality of the services provided, the operation and structure of the centers that offer palliative care care.
