More and more people in the Czech Republic are living with a cancer diagnosis – and the trend is rising. To counter this development, the health insurance company VZP is launching a nationwide awareness campaign. The aim is to encourage more people to take part in free early detection examinations – because early action can save lives.
Each year, tens of thousands of people in the Czech Republic are diagnosed with cancer – and almost 28,000 die from it. This makes the disease the second leading cause of death in the country, after cardiovascular disease. However, experts are sounding the alarm: if the trend continues, cancer could sadly become the leading cause of death as early as 2030. Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna (VZP), the country’s largest health insurance provider, is now responding with a broad-based awareness campaign with a clear goal: to encourage more people to attend early detection screenings.
‘In the campaign, we specifically address a typical behaviour: people who experience a health problem today often turn to an internet search engine first,’ explains Ivan Duškov, Deputy Director General of VZP for Customer Services. This is also the source of the campaign’s concise slogan: ‘Better to go for a check-up now than search the internet later’ (Lepší teď jít na screening než později na internet).
The campaign is visible both online and in public spaces – on billboards, in print media and across social networks. In addition, the information platform screeningy.vzp.cz (CZ) has been launched, providing a clear overview of all available cancer screening programmes. Insured persons will find not only information about their entitlements, but also practical guidance on how to undergo the examinations.
Last year, around 333,000 VZP-insured individuals were treated for cancer. The associated costs amounted to almost 24 billion crowns. Early diagnosis can significantly increase the chances of recovery – while also reducing the burden on both patients and the healthcare system.
‘Participation in the screening programmes is gradually increasing, but it is still far from sufficient,’ Duškov continues. ‘We want to persuade as many people as possible to take advantage of the free services. The earlier a tumour is detected, the better the chances of recovery – and the gentler the treatment usually is.’
