Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Croatia, accounting for 26 percent of all deaths in 2017, it was said on Monday at the "Fight & Win" conference, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of preventing and fighting cancer.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 164 persons out of 100,000 die of cancer in the United States and 262 in the European Union.

In 2016, 27 persons out of 100,000 died of breast cancer in the EU and 47 in Croatia, said Croatian MEP Dubravka Suica, also a member of the informal group of MEPs “Members Against Cancer”.

“It’s evident that in the US they invest more and do more than in the EU. This shows that it’s necessary to invest more in research, development and innovation, which is a priority for the European Parliament. Croatia has to become more involved,” said Suica.

“The turnout for screening programmes is poor,” Health Minister Milan Kujundzic said, adding that next year, alongside the three existing national programmes for early diagnosis of breast, colon and cervical cancer, programmes would begin for the early diagnosis of lung and prostate cancer.

“Funds have been ensured for future screenings as well as for priority lists, which primarily refers to patients suspected of having a malignancy who should undergo diagnosis within seven days. All other big investments we plan to finance from EU funds,” said Kujundzic.

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