September 15th has been established as “European Prostate Cancer Awareness Day,” an initiative by the European Association of Urology aimed at informing and raising awareness among men about the risks of the disease. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Europe, accounting for 25% of all new cancer cases in men. It is estimated that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, emphasizing the importance of prevention.
According to a recent announcement by the European Commission, for the year 2020, there were an estimated 355,000 new cases of prostate cancer in Europe. In Cyprus, according to the latest report from the Cancer Registry, an estimated 710 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021.
These figures were presented during a press conference organized in collaboration with the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center and Europa UOMO Cyprus, on the occasion of “European Prostate Cancer Awareness Day.” The event was held under the auspices of the Minister of Health, Mr. Michalis Damianou.
In his address, the Minister of Health stated: “According to the data from the Cyprus Cancer Registry, approximately 585 new cases of prostate cancer are recorded in Cyprus each year.” However, Mr. Damianou noted that “in 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in cases, with 683 and 710 new diagnoses, respectively,” highlighting the “need to intensify preventive screenings and raise awareness among men.”
Mr. Panos Ergatoudis, General Director of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, emphasized that “the Oncology Center is at the forefront, not only in the fight against prostate cancer but also in raising awareness and sensitizing society.” He reiterated the collective commitment of the state, medical institutions, and civil society to this cause, underscoring the importance of public awareness in preventing and addressing the disease.
Mr. Andreas Moiseos, President of Europa UOMO, stressed the need for significant efforts to tackle the issue holistically: “Protecting and helping our fellow men from a disease that is now the second leading cause of cancer death requires much hard work. Our goal, through our activities, is to communicate the importance of early diagnosis, which significantly increases survival rates.”
Presenting the latest data on prostate cancer, Dr. Dimitrios Vombas, Director of the Radiation Oncology & Nuclear Medicine Clinic at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, noted that while prostate cancer remains a significant cause of death among men in Europe, mortality rates have been declining in many European countries in recent decades. This is due to advances in early diagnosis, which can be achieved through PSA blood tests combined with urological evaluation and treatment.
During the press conference, Dr. Elpidoforos Sotiriadis from the Open University of Cyprus and Ms. Maria Christou, a postgraduate student in the “Health Unit Management” program, presented the findings of their research on prostate cancer prevention in Cyprus. The study, which lasted six months from November 2023 to March 2024, involved 305 men aged 18-85. Among other findings, the research highlighted the reasons why men avoid primary prevention, including fears about its impact on their personal lives, difficulties with behavior change, and perceptions of the disease.
The findings and conclusions of the research were in significant alignment with the recommendations of global and international organizations, which emphasize the necessity of prevention and awareness regarding prostate cancer. This confirmation underscores the importance of adopting strategies proven effective globally for promoting participation in preventive health programs tailored to the needs of the local community in Cyprus.
The event was also addressed by Dr. Nikos Zamboglou, CEO of the German Medical Institute, Mr. Nikos Nicolaou, representing the Urological Society/OKYPY, Mr. Alexandros Davos, CEO of OPAP Cyprus, Mr. Pampis Papadopoulos, representing the Federation of Patients’ Associations of Cyprus, and Mr. Marios Priamos Ioannidis, Europa UOMO’s public awareness ambassador.
During the press conference, Mr. Stelios Kyriakou, Public Relations and Events Manager of Europa UOMO, presented the planned activities of Europa UOMO Cyprus for October-November 2024.
