The number of childhood cancer cases is rising in Cyprus: scientists call for research into the causes

Over the past decade, Cyprus has seen an increase in the number of new cancer cases among children and adolescents under the age of 19. Against the backdrop of the absence of a similar trend in a number of other European countries, experts are calling for a more in-depth investigation into the possible causes.

Professor of Environmental Health at the Cyprus University of Technology Konstantinos Makris said that the rise in incidence is a serious concern, but that the causes of this trend remain unknown.

According to him, particular attention should be paid to the so-called «exposome» of a child — the combination of environmental, lifestyle and other factors to which a person is exposed from the moment of conception.

The scientist identifies air and water quality, diet, a sedentary lifestyle, radiation and contact with chemicals, including pesticides, among the potentially significant factors. At the same time, Makris stresses that without systematic data collection it is impossible to establish which particular factors may be linked to the rising number of cases.

The scientist believes that special systems should be created to monitor children’s health and their exposure to the environment. Such data would make it possible to identify potential risk factors and develop primary prevention measures.

In Makris’s view, Cyprus needs to pay more attention not only to the treatment of cancer but also to identifying the causes of its development in children.