Deputy Health Minister Ursula Demkow recalled that the incidence of cancer is growing exponentially and younger and younger people are getting sick. - The cause is lifestyle, processed food, chemical-assisted agriculture, polluted water and air. That's why, as part of the EU's "One Health" approach, we all need to lean into the health issue. All ministries must keep the health aspect in mind," she pointed out.
She noted that in the context of Poland's presidency and one of its health security priorities - oncology is very important, because in addition to cardiovascular disease, cancer is the leading cause of death among citizens. - In terms of prevention and prophylaxis, we have a lot of catching up to do in order to detect cancer at an early stage. Early, rapid and efficient diagnosis is necessary. Within the framework of the national oncology network that is being created, patients with suspected cancer will be referred to the centers of highest reference, where they will also be provided with molecular and genetic diagnostics. Treatment coordinators will guide patients through the treatment pathway developed by the multidisciplinary consortium. Access to modern molecular therapies and immunotherapies is also needed, she enumerated.
Without modern diagnostics, there is no modern treatment
Prof. Artur Kowalik, head of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics at the Świętokrzyskie Oncology Center, lamented that in Poland, diagnostics is limping along and "dragging on therapy." - It should be the other way around. We plan diagnosis first and introduce therapy in parallel. Meanwhile, there is no way to reimburse tests that are performed on material taken in an outpatient clinic, such as molecular testing performed on an outpatient basis on material taken during a prostate biopsy, he pointed out.
Prof. Artur Kowalik called for the introduction of three baskets of diagnostic tests: simple, complex and advanced. He pointed out that today, in order to do a molecular and genetic test, a doctor orders a one-day hospitalization, the cost of which equals or even exceeds the price of the test.
- This is simply a curiosity, a waste of time for doctors and other staff at the hospital," he indignantly said. He added that a fourth basket with more advanced tests is also needed, but only for certain indications and not for everyone. - That, for example, a test should be performed when material from a prostatectomy performed many years earlier...
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