On October 31, the second annual ONKO PACIENT conference took place at the Old Town Hall in Prague, organized by the Cancer Research Foundation. The event aimed to connect medical professionals across specialties, provide the public with up-to-date information on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and dispel myths surrounding the disease. This year’s focus was on hormone-dependent tumors, particularly breast and prostate cancer.
“We organize this conference not only to facilitate meetings between experts and patient organizations but also to offer the general public valid information. Unfortunately, many myths and misconceptions about cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment persist. Our goal is to raise awareness and provide patients and their families with accurate and timely information,” said Marián Hajdúch, chairman of the Cancer Research Foundation's board of trustees.
The conference emphasized the importance of prevention and early detection of cancer, which enables treatment to begin when the disease is most manageable. According to Aleksi Šedo, director of the National Institute for Cancer Research, early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of recovery and often makes it possible to cure cancer entirely. The National Institute for Cancer Research, which supported the conference, focuses on developing new diagnostic methods and technologies to improve screening programs, enhance treatment success, and reduce patient mortality through early-stage detection.
This year’s conference also fostered interdisciplinary discussions among specialists from various medical fields involved in cancer care. It highlighted the critical need for collaboration among researchers, physicians, and patients to tackle cancer as a treatable disease. By advancing this shared vision, the conference contributed to a future where cancer can be managed effectively and treated successfully.
Photo: Milan Marenčák
