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Cancer overtook cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in Cyprus for the first time in 2024, according to Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides.
The minister presented the figures on Thursday during the 76th session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, outlining the country’s main health challenges and its efforts to prevent premature deaths.
Cancer accounted for 25.2% of all deaths recorded in Cyprus in 2024, compared with 22.8% attributed to cardiovascular disease. Diabetes mellitus was responsible for a further 5.4%, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.
The findings place cancer prevention and treatment at the center of the country’s public health priorities. In his address, Charalambides outlined national initiatives targeting diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nutrition and physical activity, alongside plans to expand screening programs for different types of cancer.
A key development in these efforts was the establishment of the National Cancer Institute in 2026. The institution is intended to improve coordination across cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and patient care, supporting a more organized national response to the disease.
Charalambides also emphasized the importance of cooperation between countries and international health organizations. Cyprus supports joint efforts to reduce preventable deaths, help people live longer and healthier lives, and address inequalities in access to health care.
The figures mark a significant change in the country’s mortality profile, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis, access to screening and sustained investment in prevention and treatment services.
