Cancer Mortality in Armenia Decreased by 3-4 Percent. Data

In recent years, there have been several successes in the fight against cancer in Armenia. This was stated by Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan during the Armenian Oncology Congress held in Jermuk. It is noteworthy that oncologists and various health specialists united under one roof for the fourth time in the struggle against cancer. The purpose of the congress is to discuss cancer control policies and strategies in Armenia, present new methods and approaches for cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment with the participation of recognized experts from Armenia and abroad.

This time, the congress hosted 50 speakers and over 300 delegates from Armenia, Russia, the USA, Mexico, Europe, India, Georgia, Qatar, Ukraine, and Iran. “Year after year, there is an increase in cases diagnosed for the first time in our country. At the same time, according to last year's data, mortality has decreased by about 3-4 percent,” said the minister.

According to her, these indicators are certainly encouraging, but they should not be the limit. To improve these figures, the minister emphasizes the importance of state support, increasing state orders, the use of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, and the continuous development of specialists' knowledge. She believes that the comprehensive health insurance will be one of the integral solutions to this issue.

According to Narek Manukyan, director of the National Center of Oncology named after Fanarjyan, cancer mortality in Armenia has reduced by 6.4 percent in the last four years. He stated that such results are achievable due to coordinated and diligent work across different sectors. “First and foremost, this is a victory for oncologists, who fight this disease every day, adopting the best practices from around the world and applying them here,” Manukyan said. The second factor contributing to this, according to Manukyan, is the government, represented by the Ministry of Health.

Since 2018, under state orders, surgeries for confirmed malignant tumors, as well as radiation and pharmaceutical treatments (not in full volume), have become free of charge. This has also allowed citizens in need to seek medical help more frequently. Unfortunately, there were many cases in the past where people did not seek treatment after diagnosis because they could not afford it.

Narek Manukyan underscored the fight against smoking, which is also crucial in the fight against cancer. “From now on, we must eliminate the concept of being an oncologist while also being a smoker; a smoking doctor should be as inconceivable as a smoking football player in global sports,” he said.

It is worth noting that according to World Health Organization forecasts, by 2050, the number of cancer cases worldwide will reach over 35 million. In contrast, data from 2022 indicates that the number of confirmed malignant tumors was 20 million.

Since 2021, the National Center of Oncology, initiated by Director Narek Manukyan, has been organizing and conducting the annual “Armenian Oncology Congress” scientific practical event within the framework of World Cancer Day.

This year, Jermuk has been chosen for the congress as a message that we are firmly standing on our land and will not retreat in the face of challenges.