Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Cyprus, with 350-400 new cases diagnosed each year, said on Thursday the President of the Gastroenterological Society of Cyprus, Dr. Andreas Evgeniou, on the occasion of the European Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
At the same time, Dr. Evgeniou underlined that prevention and early diagnosis are vital, as 6 out of 10 cancers can be addressed through preventive screenings.
At a press conference in Nicosia, it was noted that the Cyprus Gastroenterology Society, the Cyprus Medical Association, and the pharmaceutical company Medochemie are joining forces once again in the effort to inform and raise public awareness about colorectal cancer, highlighting the importance of prevention and early diagnosis.
Dr. Evgeniou pointed out that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Cyprus, with 350-400 new cases diagnosed each year. He said that Cyprus records high survival rates for colorectal cancer, with the five-year survival rate reaching 72.1%, higher than the European Union average of 60%.
The President of the Gastroenterological Society of Cyprus also said that countries implementing prevention programmes have reduced mortality rates by 30-50%, which is why they expect a preventive screening programme to be implemented in our country soon.
Dr. Louis Loizou, member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Gastroenterological Society, said that colorectal cancer has changed behaviour and has become more aggressive, since it is now detected at younger ages, while when detected it is at a more advanced stage.
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Source: CNA
