Cancer Screening Initiative in Odesa: New Findings and the Importance of Early Diagnosis

Last week, healthcare facilities in Odesa hosted a preventive initiative focused on primary cancer screening through blood laboratory tests. This event was organized with the support of the Odesa City Council's Department of Health and the Odesa City Health Center.

On this day, individuals could freely check their hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at the laboratory offices of primary healthcare centers and diagnostic centers, either through self-referral or electronic referral.

As a result of this initiative, 815 individuals sought clinical diagnostic laboratories for cancer screening. A total of 235 cases of abnormal ESR were detected: 226 individuals had elevated levels, while 9 had reduced levels. Additionally, 214 patients exhibited deviations in hemoglobin levels: 165 cases were below normal, and 49 were above normal. These indicators assist in the early detection of changes that may be linked to cancerous diseases.

All patients with identified deviations from normal levels are advised to consult their family doctor for more detailed examinations to rule out oncological pathologies.