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In order to reduce the risk of cancer, disease prevention is needed which implies early examination and detection of the cancer incidence, clinical oncologist, chemotherapist Davit Zohrabyan noted at a discussion devoted to the cancer treatment and prevention methods in Armenia.

Zohrabyan said in Armenia among women, the 2 most common cancers are breast and womb cancer while in the developed countries the latter is not even included in the top ten common cancers, which is explained by the practice of early examination.

The oncologist specifically referred to the vaccines against the initial infection of human papillomavirus infection, which may often cause womb cancer.

“Vaccination at early age may prevent womb cancer. Apart from that, after the age of 40 women are strongly recommended to undergo mammography examinations, while breast preventive examinations are recommended at the age of 35 once in a year,” Zohrabyan explained.

Director at the Armenian Psycho-Oncology Association Eva Asribabyan, present at the meeting, noted that oncological diseases are stressful for people.

“Certain stereotypes dominate in our society about oncological diseases and perspectives over their treatment. Cancer is mostly associated with death for people and in most cases they avoid medical examination, with belief there is no hope. Yet we should realize that early detection is of utmost importance for preventing such diseases. We are looking to change those stereotypes,” the psychologist said.

Editor at Cancer.am website Galina Stepanyan focused on the awareness raising component of the disease prevention. She informed that the website that was created by the support of the Armenian Association of Hematology and Oncology, aims at increasing awareness of early detection methods of cancer with relevant information about available clinics, doctors as well as interviews with patients who successfully overcame the disease.