Bulgaria is the only country in the European Union where the death rate from oncological diseases is growing, according to the data of the European Commission, despite the new therapies.
In 2019, 242 out of 100 thousand people lost their lives. Eight years earlier, they were 229 per 100 thousand. The Bulgarians are lagging behind with prevention.
Screening for cervical cancer was done by 45% of Bulgarian women with 60% coverage on average for Europe. In breast cancer and colon cancer, the differences are even greater.
Last year, Neli Georgieva felt a lump in her breast. After the tests, she realizes that at only 26, she will have to fight cancer.
“It was quite unexpected. Years ago, I had another oncological disease and I did not want to think that something like this could have happened,” said Neli Georgieva.
Younger and younger people are getting cancer, so prevention should start on time, say oncologists. And she slips.
“Our health culture plays an important role here. Every single sign that is out of the patient’s normal state should direct his attention,” said Dr. Margarita Taushanova.
Breast, cervical and ovarian cancer are the most common in women.
“Even after 35, a woman should go to a mammologist. The same applies to the consultation with the gynecologists – regular Pap smears are done there,” noted Dr. Margarita Taushanova.
In men, these are prostate, colon, and lung cancer.
“After 50 years, they should release a tumor marker and ultrasound of abdominal organs. In colon carcinoma, the symptoms are also important,” added Dr. Taushanova.
In our country, the annual preventive examination includes tests for some cancer diseases, such as ultrasound of the mammary glands, Pap smear, examination of some tumor markers, but with age restrictions. The treasury stated that there were no proposals for their expansion.
Nellie is healthy today. She believes that the timely reaction helped her.
“The good thing about the whole story is that 5 months earlier I had the prudence to have a check-up. In fact, we were able to catch the disease at a very early stage,” said Nellie.
She urges that examinations should not be postponed, but that the diagnosis should be accepted with faith that there is a treatment.
