NUMBER OF CANCERS GROWS BY 2-4% IN ARMENIA ANNUALLY

Noyan Tapan
Feb 5, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. World Cancer Day is marked on
February 4. According to official data, each year 12 million people are
diagnosed with cancer and 7 million die from this disease worldwide.

Deputy Director of the National Oncological Center, M.D., Professor
Gagik Bazikian said during the February 4 meeting with reporters
that in Armenia about 7 thousand people are diagnosed with cancer
and nearly 5 thousand patients die annually. Like elsewhere, the
number of cancers grows by 2-4% annually in Armenia. There are now
29 thousand cancer patients in the country.

In the words of G. Bazikian, the likelihood of successful treatment is
90-95% at the first stage of this disease, 50-55% at the second stage,
and only 10-15% at third and fourth stages. However, about 40-45%
of Armenian patients apply to a doctor when it is too late.

"Unfortunately, Armenians ignore their medical problems and do
not apply to a doctor at the proper time," he said. Whereas, by
the decision of the RA Ministry of Healthcare, at the first stage,
patients can receive free medical aid under the state order program.