.png)
Zagreb - The Government on Thursday sent to the Parliament a Draft National Cancer Strategic Framework (NCSF) until 2030, which is aimed at upgrading comprehensive monitoring, prevention, and treatment of malignant diseases.
The document comprises measures for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and cost optimisation in providing healthcare to oncology patients.
Health Minister Vili Beros told the government that cancer was a leading public-health issue in Croatia and in Europe.
In Croatia there are 170,000 people who have suffered from cancer or are still being treated for malignant diseases, he said.
The World Health Organisation estimates that the number of newly diagnosed cancer patients in a year in the world would rise from 18 million in 2018 to 29.5 million in 2040. Furthermore, the number of cancer-related deaths in a year would rose from 9.5 million in 2018 to 16.4 million in 2040.
Cardiovascular diseases are the top cause of death, and malignant diseases rank second. In Croatia, they accounted for 27% of deaths in 2018.
For those under the age of 65, cancer is the top cause of deaths: 50% among women, and 35% among men.
Lung cancer is the most prevalent malignant disease among men in Croatia, whereas breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women.
The 12-chapter NCHS has been prepared for three years and 135 stakeholders have been engaged in the preparation of this document that envisages 143 targets and 302 activities to combat cancer.