Every eighth Armenian woman faces cancer - expert

ArmInfo. In Armenia, every eighth woman faces cancer, the trends in this area are disappointing. This was reported on February 4 at a press conference in Yerevan by clinical oncologist of the V. Fanarjyan National Oncology Center Naira Janoyan.

For comparison, she noted that in 1975 this proportion was one to 11.  According to her, despite the alarming nature of this trend, it is  necessary to take into account that this is due to the increase in  average life expectancy. According to Janoyan, the longer a person  lives, the higher the likelihood of developing tumor diseases.

The doctor named air pollution as another reason for the increase in  cancer cases (For example, air quality in Yerevan: the concentration  of PM2.5 is now 15.8 times higher than the WHO recommended average  annual value of PM2.5 - ed.).

Touching upon breast cancer cases, the oncologist noted that 1,457  cases of this cancer were registered in Armenia in 2022, and in 2023  their number exceeded 1,500. She added that there is a steady  increase in cases of the disease, but thanks to early detection, it  is possible to reduce the mortality rate.

The expert also drew attention to the fact that Armenia also has a  high incidence of gastrointestinal cancer, as well as lung cancer  among men. The oncologist largely attributed lung cancer to smoking.

At the same time, according to Janoyan, the country's statistical  data is practically no different from world indicators. "Breast  cancer still ranks first among oncological diseases, as in other  developed countries.  However, in recent years, there has also been a  decrease in the number of patients wishing to be treated abroad,  which is due to the improvement of cancer diagnostic capabilities in  the country," she noted.

In turn, the head of the medical assistance policy department of the  Ministry of Health of Armenia Knar Gonyan recalled that the Ministry  is actively implementing programs for the early detection of cancer  through screening. Thus, according to her, since last year, programs  for the early detection of breast cancer have been in effect in four  regions of the republic - Lori, Tavush, Syunik and Shirak.

"In 2024, screening will begin in the Gegharkunik region, and already  in 2025, a mobile mammograph will be operating in the city of Martuni  in this region, and women aged 45-60 will be able to undergo  examination for the early detection of breast cancer free of charge,"  the expert added, assuring that the program will be long-term and  will cover other regions.

Gonyan also noted that the age threshold for participation in the  program has been lowered: if previously it was women aged 50-60, then  from 2024 - already from 45 years.

In addition, she reported on the existence of a pilot project for  colorectal cancer screening (malignant tumor of the colon - ed.),  which will be expanded in 2024. "We will increase both the list of  organizations conducting screening and the age group of  beneficiaries. This year we have overcome the age threshold and  increased coverage, but the project requires further expansion. In  2025, the number of organizations will be increased and the age  threshold will be revised," Gonyan noted.

Touching upon the obstacles to early detection of the disease, Knar  Gonyan explained that there is a fear among the population about the  possibility of detecting cancer, which is why many do not undergo  examination.

At the same time, she recalled that since 2019, surgical treatment is  free in the presence of diagnosed malignant neoplasms and called on  citizens not to be afraid to seek help, since good results can be  achieved with early detection.

It should be noted that the National Statistical Committee of Armenia  does not publish any data on the number of people suffering from  oncology in the country.