Based on death rates, cancer remains the second cause of deaths after
cardio-vascular diseases. Oncologists claim that the number of people
diagnosed with cancer grows each year, both in Armenia as well as other
countries. According to director of the national center of oncology,
member of the National Academy of Sciences professor Hairo Galstyan,
out of 100,000 people living in first world countries, only 400-450
people are diagnosed with cancer, whereas in Armenia there are 160-170.
Our rates are even better than Russia’s In contrast to other countries,
the Caucasus region is known for its low rates in diseases. Hospitals
verify that during the past couple of years many young adults have been
diagnosed with cancer. The causes of diseases are still being
researched. For example, besides the genetic factor, possible causes
for breast cancer include multiple abortions and immature childbirth.
Other causes for cancer include smoking, alcoholism, malnutrition,
residence, as well as religious background and rituals, which are not
discussed “publicly” by doctors. Head of the clinical
pathomorphological department of the center of oncology, doctor of
medical sciences professor Tatyana Hovhanesbeskova and her group of
scientists have done scientific research on breast cancer in Armenia
during the past 20 years and have found out that, there has been a rise
in the number of people diagnosed with cancer due to the difficult and
stressful years that Armenia went through. “Cancer became more
aggressive during that period”. However, at the same time, death rates
have decreased during the past 6-7 years. This says a lot about the
affectivity of hospitals: “In first world countries, oncology is not
only a problem of health care centers, but also the government. No
health-care service alone can solve those problems in any country. The
National Institute of Cancer of the U.S. functions under the
sponsorship of the government, and the director of the institute is
held accountable to the president because this is a critical issue for
the country as a whole.”
