Childhood cancer rates in Cyprus have emerged as a pressing concern among health experts, with recent data indicating incidence levels above the EU average. According to the Cyprus 2025 Cancer Country Profile, prepared by the OECD and the European Commission, an estimated 22 children aged up to 14 were diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
- The mortality rate for childhood cancer in Cyprus was estimated at 2.3 deaths per 100,000 children, slightly exceeding the EU average of 2.1 deaths per 100,000.
The reported incidence rate stood at 15 cases per 100,000 children, surpassing the EU average of 13.7 cases per 100,000. These figures are based on available cancer registry information and previous trends rather than confirmed final case numbers for that year.
Breakdown of Cancer Types
Leukaemia was the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 36 per cent of childhood cancer cases. This was followed by brain and central nervous system tumours, which made up 27 per cent, and lymphomas at 19 per cent.
The mortality rate for childhood cancer in Cyprus was estimated at 2.3 deaths per 100,000 children, slightly exceeding the EU average of 2.1 deaths per 100,000.
Historical Context of Childhood Cancer in Cyprus
A population-based study utilising the childhood cancer registry, covering cases from 1998 to 2017, previously identified Cyprus among countries with the highest reported childhood and adolescent cancer incidence rates globally. This study estimated an age-standardised incidence rate of 203.5 cases per million among children and adolescents up to 19 years old.
While the study found no statistically significant overall increase during the examined period, it did highlight a notable rise in thyroid cancer, particularly among girls and adolescents aged 15 to 19.
Expert Insights on Rising Cases
Professor Constantinos Makris, director of the public health institute at the University of Technology (Tepak), commented on the recent data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which indicates an uptick in new childhood cancer cases over the last decade. However, he emphasised that there is currently no precise explanation for why Cyprus appears to be experiencing higher increases compared to other European countries.
“The question of why new cases are increasing disproportionately in Cyprus compared with other European countries cannot currently be answered with precision,” he stated. Makris pointed out that Cyprus lacks a comprehensive system for tracking children’s environmental, behavioural, and metabolic exposures over time, which hinders researchers’ ability to investigate potential contributing factors.
Need for Comprehensive Monitoring
Areas needing closer scrutiny include obesity, diet, smoking exposure, air pollution, and chemical exposure such as pesticides. Despite the rise in cases, Makris was clear that there is no evidence linking the increase to any single cause. “Genes cannot alter that significantly within ten years,” he noted, acknowledging that while improved diagnosis may account for part of the increase, it is unlikely to explain the entire trend.
In light of these findings, Makris has called for the establishment of a national monitoring system to examine children’s environmental and lifestyle exposures from pregnancy through early childhood. This initiative could help provide crucial insights into the factors influencing childhood cancer rates in Cyprus.
