YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. World Cancer Day is marked on February 4. According to official data, each year 12 million people are diagnosed with cancer and 7 million die from this disease worldwide. Deputy Director of the National Oncological Center, M.D., Professor Gagik Bazikian said during the February 4 meeting with reporters that in Armenia about 7 thousand people are diagnosed with cancer and nearly 5 thousand patients die annually. Like elsewhere, the number of cancers grows by 2-4% annually in Armenia. There are now 29 thousand cancer patients in the country. In the words of G. Bazikian, the likelihood of successful treatment is 90-95% at the first stage of this disease, 50-55% at the second stage, and only 10-15% at third and fourth stages. However, about 40-45% of Armenian patients apply to a doctor when it is too late. "Unfortunately, Armenians ignore their medical problems and do not apply to a doctor at the proper time," he said. Whereas, by the decision of the RA Ministry of Healthcare, at the first stage, patients can receive free medical aid under the state order program.

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