Together Against Cancer: Cyprus

Cancer is a major public health issue for Cyprus. Every year, more than 4,500 Cypriots receive a cancer diagnosis and more than 2,000 die from the disease.

Against this backdrop, Cyprus has established itself as a leading country in the fight against cancer, making progress towards key EU policy goals and playing a major role in the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Some issues however, persist:

• Risk factors: With 21% of the population smoking daily, which is above the EU average, and high exposure to air pollution, Cypriot citizens have a high risk of lung cancer, one of the most common and deadliest cancer types in the country.
• Screening gaps: While Cyprus has established organised breast cancer screening, the implementation of national programmes for cervical and colorectal cancer is still pending or ongoing. As a result, only 22% of Cypriots are screened for colorectal cancer, among the lowest rates in the EU.
• Socio-economic differences: With twice as many women with lower education levels being overweight or obese, as compared to those with higher education levels, Cyprus has one of the biggest education-related gaps in cancer prevention in the EU.

The creation of the National Cancer Institute and the upcoming EU Cyprus Presidency provide a critical opportunity for Cyprus to renew the momentum of its National Cancer Strategy, address ongoing issues of cancer care fragmentation and inequalities, and maintain its leadership role in Europe.

Now is the time for Cyprus to accelerate its efforts to turn the tide against cancer.

This July, the European Cancer Organisation is bringing together key healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers in the country’s major cities to accelerate coordinated and comprehensive action against cancer.