In Moldova, about 48,000 people suffer from cancer and over 6,000 of these die annually. Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. The data were presented by the Oncological Institute in connection with World Cancer Day that is celebrated on February 4. The day’s theme this year is “We can. I can”, which is a call to get involved in the global fight against cancer, IPN reports.

Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths and 71% of the deaths from lung cancer worldwide. In Moldova, among the key risk factors for cancer are smoking, alcohol abuse, type-two obesity and unhealthy food. A large part of the adult population (51% of men and 7% of women) smokes, while the majority of people (81% of men and 59% of women) consume alcohol.

Though cancer incidence in Moldova is lower than the European average, the number of new cases continues to increase. Thus, during the last ten years alone, cancer incidence rose from 193.4 new cases per 100,000 people in 2005 to 266,400 in 2015. Breast, skin, hemobalstosis and cervical cancer prevailed among the cases of cancer in 2015.

Cancer mortality in Moldova in 2015 was 136.9 per 100,000. The colorectal, lung, breast and stomach cancer accounted for the largest number of cancer deaths.

In this connection, the Ministry of Health launched the first National Cancer Control Program, for 2016-2025. Among the objectives are to reduce the incidence of cancer determined by such risk factors as smoking, alcohol consumption, food and physical activity by 10%, to increase the early cancer detection rate by 25%, to ensure the access of at least 80% of cancer patients to diagnosis, treatment and continuous care services and to develop palliative and rehabilitation services by 2025.