The Significance of Early Cancer Diagnosis

In the early stages, cancer can be treatable: timely cancer diagnosis allows for the early detection of the disease, increasing the chances of successful treatment and saving lives. The medical guarantee program provides the opportunity to undergo preventive examinations for free, regardless of residence, as reported by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU).

Early diagnosis of the most common cancers is a priority and includes free cancer screening services across six packages:

• mammography – X-ray examination of the breasts to detect abnormalities;
• hysteroscopy – examination of the uterus to identify intrauterine issues at an early stage;
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy – examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract to detect inflammations and tumors;
• colonoscopy – examination of the colon to detect inflammations and tumors;
• cystoscopy – examination of the bladder with the possibility of biopsy;
• bronchoscopy – examination of the airways to detect mucosal issues.

Residents of Kyiv, including internally displaced persons, can access early cancer diagnosis services at any medical facility contracted with NHSU. To receive these services, a family or treating doctor issues an electronic referral.

Eligibility for preventive examinations is also based on the patients' age: for mammography and colonoscopy – from 40 years, and for other examinations – from 50 years.

Internally displaced persons have access to local or general anesthesia, anesthesiologist consultation, sample collection, as well as documentation of research results and referrals for specialized medical care.

The complete details of each diagnostic examination can be found on the NHSU website at the following link: https://cutt.ly/ieIPVARP.