“Green corridor” means only the beginning

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Latvia, and according to recent statistics, there are more than 13 000 breast cancer patients in the accounts. Despite the significant improvement in diagnostic options for first-time cancer patients and cancer is increasingly detected at stage 1, mortality rates remain very high - 456 women died from breast cancer in 2016. Some of them could have continued to live unless they were given the latest generation of cancer medicines.
In order to become a treating disease, the breast cancer patient's support association “VITA” and the Latvian basketball Union, in collaboration with doctors and other patient organisations, have been carrying out “test breasts” for the Seventh Year to live! “. The previous campaigns focused on encouraging women to carry out regular breast examinations and self-checks, thus allowing the detection of breast cancer at an early stage. The aim of this year's campaign“ test your breasts to live! ”is to focus more attention not only on diagnosis but also on cancer. In Latvia there is positive progress in arranging the oncology area - a“ green corridor ”has been introduced, which allows first-time cancer patients to perform tests without queue, but is not enough because the patient needs immediate treatment after diagnosis. A patient with a disease today cannot wait - to live, the best treatment is needed as soon as possible.
A breast cancer patient is supported by Irina Januma, head of the “Vita” association: “I thank the Ministry of Health for the accomplishment of the oncology that has been done so far! The“ green corridor ”is a good start in the cases of primary diagnosed cancer, but it is also necessary to consider what follows the“ green corridor ”, namely the effective treatment and the availability of new therapies for breast cancer patients, otherwise the patient will have a deadlock at the end of the corridor.
By waiting for our country's centuries, the best gift for Latvia and every cancer patient would be the opportunity to receive the most effective treatment in order to celebrate these festivals with all Latvia and his family and continue to live. ”
Myanuma informed that Latvia is currently paying only 6 out of 30 most frequently used new cancer medicines used in European countries for the treatment of the most common tumours in 2015. In the most severe situation, patients of metastatic cancer, which are compensated by a very limited state of the state of Latvia in Latvia, do not achieve the best possible results of treatment. On the other hand, only a rare patient may be allowed to purchase the latest generation of medicines. There is no need to look far: in our neighbour countries in Estonia and Lithuania, metastatic breast cancer patients have significantly greater opportunities to live longer, receiving the most effective medicines than we have in Latvia.
The president of the Latvian oncological association, Professor Janis Eglītis, acknowledged that the “green corridor”, which was introduced in 2016, was indeed a great success for Latvia and had to start working for many years ago. At the moment, the green corridor accelerates diagnostic possibilities for first-time patients, but as the professor emphasised, we should not forget about those who have been treated, but the feeling or analysis suggests that cancer may have come back. These people also deserve priority in the investigation corridors to confirm or reject the diagnosis as soon as possible and it would be possible to initiate treatment. Dr. Eglītis hoped that the new oncology disease diagnostic and treatment programme, which has been written very ambitious, will succeed in introducing and attracting appropriate funding to achieve tangible results by 2020.
Unfortunately, for the time being, the government is late in approving the programme, so it is not possible to increase State aid for cancer. The Saeima deputy and Chairman of the Public Health Sub-Commission, Romualds Ražuks, acknowledged that despite the fact that the diagnostic and treatment programme for oncology diseases has been developed for the period 2017-2020, and the Saeima Members have unanimously acknowledged its need, and the European Commission has allowed money to be raised at the expense of budget deficit, this money has still not reached the oncology patients, although the year is already on the side.
As regards future plans in the area of oncology, the Deputy State Secretary of State for Health, Dina Mūrmane – Umbraško, stressed that the main initiatives are still aimed at arranging the diagnostic area, but the reimbursement of additional medicines is not yet spoken. The Ministry of Health has developed guidance or travel cards for family doctors, how to act in situations where they suspect that a patient has any oncological disease. A system is developed to ensure that all necessary examinations are carried out in full, without any limitation, by the State within 10 days. After receiving an examination, the decision on further treatment must be taken within a month and the next steps are clearly defined, namely when the oncologist is to be taken, when the family doctor is, and what is the further way of care. There is currently an action plan for 11 cancer localizations, but it is planned to continue to develop “road maps” for other cancer locales in the next year.
The news is also related to the availability of state-paid cancer screening in cases where the call letter has been lost or damaged or has not been received for some reason. As the National Health Service informs (NVD), further renewal of the call letter is possible not only in the practice of the family doctor, which has access to the “management information system” of the electronic system of the National Health Service for cancer screening module, but also in medical treatment institutions that implement the provision of cancer screening mammography services and has concluded a contract with the National Health Service regarding the use of that module.
In the practice of family doctors and in these medical treatment institutions, it is possible to ascertain the number and date of the invitation letter (by presenting his or her personal identification document) and to receive information regarding the possibilities of renewal of the invitation letter (by self-printing the forms on the WEBSITE OF THE NVD or receiving these forms in the practice/medical treatment institution).
Murmane – Umbraško acknowledged that the biggest target for the next 3 years is to ensure THAT 75% women refer to the state-paid screening and leave to check their health and that in THE case OF 60% cancer, cancer will be discovered at stages 1 and 2, in which it will be better exposed to treatment.
In summarising the situation in the field of oncology in Latvia, the main conclusion is that the change is happening, but we are still significantly behind the other EU countries, including Lithuania and Estonia.
About the campaign
“Check your breasts to live!” is organized by Latvian basketball Union and breast cancer patient support association “VITA” for the seventh consecutive year. As part of the fourth year campaign, the movement of regional ambassadors is active – more than 40 volunteers from all Latvia call on women to take care of breasts, carry out regular checks and provide support. Regional Ambassadors shall deliver informative materials, implement various educational activities, as well as promote the interest of regional media regarding the subject of breast health.
For example, on April 10, the oncology surgery sister, the campaign's regional Ambassador Solvita Rubene, was visiting Andreja Uplash Skraver High School to tell girls in the biology hour of the health of the breasts and the self-test of breasts. In the evening, an inspiring conversation with women on the health of breasts took place in the premises of the cafe “Skraver house cream”.
As part of the campaign, video promotion is also implemented in #LaiDz phased social networks, where people known in society are invited to record short video calls in their smartphones for women to check their breasts, to go to a doctor if they are suspected, to be treated if necessary, to love themselves and their families.
Also this year, the campaign “check your breasts to live!” is intended to be concluded with a larger event – on June 3, a solidarity move will take place “go together to live!” from the Freedom Monument to the arena Riga. Gathering stroke at 15`30 at the Freedom Monument.
Plumping. 17`00 “arena Riga” will take place at the annual pink belt charity basketball game between Latvian and Belarusian women. The entrance plays for donations - all donations will be channelled to the treatment of seriously ill patients.
Follow the campaign activities: www.facebook.com/Laidzivotu
 
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