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04-02-2021

Preventive programmes as a possibility to detect the disease early and to get it cured

Iliustracija

In commemoration of the World Cancer Day, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) reminds once again about importance of the preventive measures. The persons, who have compulsory health insurance (CHI) are encouraged to participate actively in these programmes, four of which are intended for early cancer diagnostics.

The coronavirus pandemic has reduced significantly the volumes of preventive checks-up of the last year. According to provisional data of this January, a little more than 88 thousand women took part in the preventive programme of cervical cancer in 2020, i.e., approx. 29 percent less than in 2019 (123 thousand women).

86 thousand women received the services provided in the preventive programme of breast cancer, i.e., 28 percent less than in 2019 (119 thousand women). 51 thousand men got checked according to the programme of early diagnostic of prostate cancer– 43 percent less than the year before last (90 thousand men). 175 thousand persons took part in the diagnostic programme of large intestine cancer (33 percent less), while the number in 2019 was 261 thousand.

217 thousand persons took part in the preventive programme of cardiovascular diseases in 2020, while this number was 292 thousand persons in 2019, thus 26 percent less than in 2019.

"As the people are afraid to catch a virus and believe that appointment with the doctor is possible only in exceptional cases, they avoid contacting the medical institutions and are waiting for the end of quarantine. So, the number of diseases that are diagnosed too late when they are already advanced, is growing. Well, the treatment is much more difficult them. I would encourage all people to participate actively in free preventive programmes. The tests performed through these programmes are exactly the ones that enable diagnosing diseases in their earliest stage," – says Ass. Prof. Neringa Burokiene, doctor of Family Health Centre of the Hospital of Vilnius University, Santara Clinics. According to her, preventive measures are not restricted or suspended during the quarantine, so the patients are free to contact their general practitioners and get checked.

The NHIF reminds that the CHI insured persons may check their health free of charge through five preventive programmes: cervical, breast, prostate and large intestine cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

"It is a possibility for many patients to get examined, because preventive health tests are funded from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. The funding of this programme is growing every year: 22 million euro were awarded for them in 2020 and 24.5 million euro in 2021," – says Chief Officer of the Department of Services Expertise and Control of the NHIF under the Ministry of Health, Ms. Rasa Saviciute. According to her, it is also important to know that if the person is not of the age specified in the programme, that person should refer to the general practitioner, who would prescribe the necessary tests according to the patient's age, health state, case history and risk factors, and who would write a referral for specialist's consultation, if needed.

The NHIF ordered a survey on the opinion of the Lithuanian residents last July and the survey revealed that the people are familiar the best with the preventive programmes of cervical cancer (66 percent of respondents) and breast cancer (65 percent). 61 percent of respondents new about the programmes of prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases, while 58 percent knew the preventive programme of large intestine cancer.

26 percent of female respondents stated that they had participated in the preventive programmes of cervical cancer, and 14 percent – in the preventive programme of breast cancer. Besides, 16 percent of respondents stated that they had participated in the preventive programme of cardiovascular diseases, 11 percent – prostate cancer, and 10 percent – in the preventive programme of large intestine cancer.

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222.

Last updated: 26-05-2021

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