Cancer replaces cardiovascular disease as leading cause of death in Cyprus

For the first time in 30 years, cancer has surpassed cardiovascular disease to become the leading cause of death in the Republic of Cyprus. These findings were presented on Tuesday at the 12th Pancyprian Public Health Conference, organized by the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII) under the auspices of Health Minister Neofytos Charalampidis.

Experts at the conference highlighted the urgent need to intensify cancer prevention efforts, emphasizing that such initiatives must begin in childhood. A key concern raised during the event is the insufficient funding for preventative health measures in Cyprus. Current expenditure on prevention remains at approximately 2%, which is significantly lower than the European Union average of 4%.

To address this shift in mortality, officials are calling for an essential upgrade to the role of schools and nurseries in promoting healthy behaviors. The conference concluded that increased financial investment and comprehensive public health policies are required to mitigate the rising impact of cancer across the Cypriot population.