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Cuba implements new comprehensive program for cancer control
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| Published on Friday, September 18, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- Cuba’s Health Minister has approved a new program seeking to decrease the number of cases of cancer in the country, where the disease is considered a “silent epidemics”.
Granma newspaper reports that the new strategy called “Comprehensive Program for Cancer Control” seeks to turn the disease into a chronic condition, similar to diabetes, to reduce the rates of incidence and mortality and improve the quality of life of patients.
All levels of the health system will be involved in the program including biotechnology research centers. It will also require the participation of social sciences institutions, the educational sector, political and mass organizations and local governments.
Director of the National Unit for Cancer Control, Teresa Romero, told Granma that this joint effort will improve the quality of preventive measures, early diagnosis and treatment. She said that nearly
500 doctors working in policlinics will receive further training on how to coordinate the program in the communities as of the second half of October.
Cancer is the second cause of death in the island, after cardiovascular diseases and since last year it became the first cause of death in eight of the 14 provinces of the country, says Granma’s report.
In Cuba, around 29,000 patients are diagnosed with cancer every year and an average of more than 18,000 of these people die, according to official estimates.
Romero said the program includes a strong campaign against smoking habits, the main cause leading to lung cancer which has the highest incidence and mortality rates in Cuban men, though it is increasingly affecting women.
The new program will cover all stages of the disease and strengthens actions for the treatment, and constant care and human support of patients. | | | | Reads : 745 | | | |
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