Oncologist: 8000 new cases of cancer and 5000 deaths are recorded in Armenia annually

In Armenia, every year about 8,000 new cases of cancer and 5,000 deaths due to this disease are recorded. In neighboring countries, the proportion of morbidity and mortality is the same as in Armenia. Deputy Director of the Fanarjyan National Cancer Center, oncologist Artur Avetisyan stated this in a meeting with journalists on February 1.

He added that every year 10 million new cases of cancer are registered in the world and 5 million people die because of this disease.

Avetisyan noted that in the long term there will be a tendency for cancer incidence to increase, while there is a tendency for some types of cancer diseases to reduce mortality.

"This is clearly seen in developed countries. Mortality is falling in terms of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer. These are the types of oncology that are successfully prevented and screened.

In general, we are making progress, but there is still work to be done. In the vast majority of cases there is no sense to go abroad for treatment.

In Armenia, the most common cancer among men is lung and respiratory tract cancer, which is due to the fact that Armenia is a smoking country. Among women, as in the rest of the world, the most common cancer is breast cancer. This is connected with the improvement of diagnostics.

In the issue of breast cancer treatment the pilot program has been successfully completed, and we are ready for the nationwide screening. Doctors are waiting for funding, the ball is on the side of the Government," the doctor said.

At the same time, he expressed regret that only 40% of the target population (55-60 years old) in Armenia underwent mammography within the framework of the pilot program, while 70% is considered the gold standard.

"Even more worrying is the low rate of attendance (70%) when a second call is made when anything suspicious is detected.

There is an upward trend in prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer among men, and thyroid cancer among women, for this part there is a very good treatment outcome, and the mortality rate is very low.

As for cervical cancer, there are no great successes in this direction, we are lagging behind both in screening and vaccination," he emphasized. 

Avetisyan reminded that in 50-60% of cases the cause of cancer is related to lifestyle, diet, smoking, excess weight.

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