February 4 is World Cancer Day, and reducing the risk factors is very important for cancer prevention. This was stated by Knar Gonyan, Head of the Medical Assistance Policy Department of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, at a press conference Tuesday.

According to her, we must actively fight against smoking, unhealthy eating, lead a healthy lifestyle, consume healthy food, and fight against excess weight and physical hyperactivity.

“Prevention also includes vaccination. In the case of cervical cancer, vaccination against the human papillomavirus has a significant effect. Vaccination is also very important in the case of hepatitis B.

The Ministry of Health [of Armenia] conducts screening tests for early diagnosis, which determine the effectiveness of treatment. The breast cancer early detection screening program, which was implemented in Lori, Tavush, Syunik and Shirak [Provinces of Armenia], is implemented also in Gegharkunik [Province] since 2024. Since 2025, a mobile mammography machine has been installed in Martuni [town], and women aged 45-60 in the area can undergo a free examination. At the same time, the age group has been expanded, as from 2021, women aged no less than 50 can be examined for free.

In addition, a colon cancer screening program is being implemented, which has been expanded since 2024, including the expansion of the age group. From 2025, more organizations will be included in the program, and the age group could be revised, too.

Such examinations are carried out in clinics in [capital] Yerevan and Gyumri, the age group includes women and men aged 50-75. In 2024, the six selected organizations conducted more surveys (more than 5,000) than was originally planned (3,900). This year, we plan to conduct even more studies,” Gonyan said.

The specialist reminded that since 2019, surgeries for patients with malignant tumors are free of charge in Armenia.

“In addition, a free drug program (with trastuzumab) has been introduced in the case of first- and second-stages of breast cancer. In parallel, cancer patients can undergo free, hard-to-reach examinations.

There is also the possibility of co-funding chemotherapy and free radiotherapy services, and for some groups—on a co-funding basis,” Gonyan emphasized.

Naira Janoyan, a clinical oncologist at the Fanarjian National Center of Oncology, in turn, noted that people whose family members have cancer are at risk.

"These people should definitely be screened at an earlier age than others. Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women. If in 1975, one in 11 women [in Armenia] was sick [with breast cancer], now one in 8 women is sick. The growth in rates in developed countries is also associated with an increase in life expectancy. Underdeveloped countries have their own problems; for example, air pollution also leads to an increase in [cancer] indicators," Janoyan noted.

The doctor reported that if in 2022, a total of 1,457 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in Armenia, in 2023—more than 1,500 cases. Respective data for 2024 will be known later.

"Moreover, a decrease in mortality rates has been observed in percentage terms, which is associated with the development of early detection capabilities.

Lung and gastrointestinal cancers are more common in men.

The diagnostic and treatment capabilities in Armenia are almost on par with those in foreign countries. The existence of competition between medical institutions in Armenia is also welcome,” concluded Janoyan.