More knowledge is needed among Poles about the availability of cancer prevention tests - this is the main conclusion from a meeting between Dr. Nino Berdzula, director of the World Health Organization Office in Poland, and Dr. Beata Jagielska, director of NIO-PIB. It turns out that as many as 62 percent of Poles are afraid of an oncology diagnosis, but only about 40 percent take advantage of the free tests that have been available for years. Cooperation between the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology and the World Health Organization may provide an opportunity to improve this situation.
NIO-PIB has established cooperation with WHO Poland. It is about oncology prevention
Published April 10, 2024 08:10
fot. NIO-PIB
- One of the WHO's key priorities is to improve the quality and effectiveness of screening programs and access to modern cancer therapies aimed at improving cancer outcomes. We aim to achieve these goals through cooperation with member states. The National Cancer Institute is an extremely important partner for us. We look forward to the development of cooperation, providing evidence of effective procedures and enabling the implementation of solutions tailored to local needs, both in screening and early diagnosis," Dr. Nino Berdzuli said at the meeting.
- Prevention, also for us, is in priority. However, it is no secret that Poland cannot boast impressive results in this regard. Free screening programs have been available for many years, but their effects - that is, first of all, the number of people getting screened - are far from satisfactory. Therefore, I think the question we need to ask ourselves together is: why doesn't our society want to take advantage of these tests? - emphasized Dr. Beata Jagielska.
In response, Dr. Berdzuli noted that finding answers to this question is one of the many areas in which NIO-PIB can count on WHO's support. The interviewees agreed that in order to encourage as many people as possible to get tested, it is necessary for local communities and local governments to get involved in intensive activities promoting prevention. Their representatives know best how to reach out to residents of smaller towns or villages, where awareness of the availability of preventive examinations and their number are of greatest concern.
Prior to the conversation between the WHO director and the director of NIO-PIB, a working meeting was held in which the team of the Cancer Prevention Center of the Institute of Oncology participated. It was devoted primarily to the organization of oncology screening programs in Poland. Also discussed was the WHO document "A short guide to screening for malignant neoplasms. Increasing effectiveness, maximizing benefits and minimizing harms" actions that can be taken according to its guidelines, now also available in Polish.
- This is a very important document that is a "guide" to the organization of oncology screening programs in Europe. It is written in an accessible way, is based on the results of scientific research and the experience of the most successful countries. It can serve as a "road map" for health care organizers in Poland. The document can also indicate in the direction of which cancers preventive examinations should be carried out and how to organize them," explained Andrzej Nowakowski, MD, Professor of the Institute - head of the Central Coordinating Center of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program
The meeting also discussed the prospects of implementing, into the ongoing cervical cancer screening program in Poland, HPV HR molecular testing in line with WHO recommendations.
- As a gynecologist, cervical cancer prevention is not only a professional passion for me, but also a moral obligation. We cannot accept that women are dying from a disease that can be prevented with effective tools, such as HPV vaccination and screening that detects cancer in its early stages," Dr. Berdzuli stressed.
Elaborated. Based on: NIO-PIB press release
