Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in Europe and it is estimated that it runs to 25% of all new cases in males. In 2020 in Europe 107,000 people passed away while 450,000 new cases were diagnosed.
The figures were presented at a press conference on Friday, under the auspices of the Minister of Health, on the occasion of the European Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. All speakers underlined the significance of prevention, exercise and healthy diet and lifestyle.
Addressing the event, Minister of Health Popi Kanari said that in Cyprus around 540 new cases are detected annually, with an increase recorded in 2019 and 2020. She referred to the importance of prevention and population control for male over 50 and over 40 with a family history, noting that this type of cancer has a slow development and it often has no symptoms.
She said that the Ministry is in close contact with the scientific companies to have the right policies, stating that the government supports the scientific community and the messages are optimistic. She also referred to the screening programme for prostate cancer and other diseases.
At the same time, the Minister praised the work of Europa Uomo for awareness and support of patients and their families.
Director of the Radiotherapeutic Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Clinic of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Department Dr. Dimitrios Bombas said that although prostate cancer remains a major cause of death among men in Europe, the mortality rate is decreasing in many European countries and this is probably due with improvements in early diagnosis (PSA blood test combined with urological assessment and treatment).
He spoke in detail about the stages of diagnosis, patient classification and treatment as well as prevention strategies such as proper diet and exercise and visiting the urologist if symptoms are present.
Director General of Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center Panos Ergatoudes referred to the positive developments of medical science for prevention and early diagnosis and added that the Centre will continue to support patients and their families as it has done for the past 25 years. He said that maintaining a dialogue with society is important and it is equally important for patients to speak up.
Europa Uomo President Andreas Moyseos said that the patients' continued demands have to do with equality in the access to modified medicines, controlled use of major ingredients in treatment delivery, measurable results and centres of excellence for the 4 major types of cancer.
In the context of the conference, Open University postgraduate student Maria Christou briefly presented her study on prostate cancer and referred to an online research in progress.
A representative of the major sponsor BD Swiss referred to the corporate social responsibility that prompted the company to support Europa Uomo and its actions.
The 3rd blue cycling route, in the framework of the awareness campaign, will take place on October 8 in Limassol and in an online message the Deputy Minister of Shipping invited everyone to embrace the event.
On November 3, 4 and 5 biking rides will also take place in 31 of the 41 communities of Pitsilia region. Other activities and events will also take place in an attempt to raise awareness and financially support Europa Uomo.
Europa Uomo President presented commemorative plaques to the Minister of Health, the Director of Oncology Center, a representative of the German Oncology Society and the representative of the major sponsor BD Swiss.
Source: Cyprus News Agency