In 2024, 19,452 cases of malignancies were diagnosed in Tatarstan

One of the reasons for this increase is the growing number of people aged over 60

Last year, 19,452 cases of malignant tumors were diagnosed in Tatarstan. This is 7.3% (1,300 cases) more than in 2023. «This increase does not indicate that people are getting cancer more frequently, but rather that the healthcare system is functioning properly and timely diagnoses are being made, allowing patients to receive treatment at an earlier stage», – said Ilgiz Khidiyatov, the chief physician of the Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary.

Presently, thanks to the implementation of federal programs, doctors are able to identify malignancies at the early stages and begin preventive measures. Changes in the statistics also depend on the age of the population – over the past 10 years, the number of people over 60 years old in Tatarstan has increased by 22.2%. A third factor is the increase in the number of patients who have been diagnosed, registered, and treated for cancer.

In Tatarstan, a robotic surgeon to perform 100 surgeries this year

In the Volga Federal District, Tatarstan has become a leader in several indicators related to cancer control: early detection, five-year survival rates, and cohort. A five-year federal cancer control program that began in 2019 allowed the Republic of Tatarstan to renew its technical resources, including equipment, to conduct high-quality research and treatment.

Robotic surgeon assistance was provided in Tatarstan at the end of 2024. The Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary purchased the latest model of the Da Vinci surgical robot, which allows for minimally invasive procedures. This robot can perform surgery on almost any part of the body except for the brain. The cost of these surgeries is approximately 380,000 rubles, but thanks to support from the Tatarstan government, 100 residents will be able to undergo free surgery this year. Ilgiz Khidiyatov emphasized that the number of these operations will increase in 2026.

In addition, a new cancer control program this year is launching in Russia, which will run until 2030. The program will focus on radiopharmaceuticals, reported Rustem Khasanov, the chief oncologist for the Volga Federal District and a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

40% of all cancer cases are asymptomatic

Most oncological diseases are asymptomatic, making diagnosis difficult. According to Eduard Nagumanov, 40% of cases are asymptomatic. Usually symptoms appear at the third or fourth stage of cancer.

To prevent cancer diseases, residents are advised to get regular medical check-ups. These are conducted at the local polyclinic and are available to all citizens. The free screening program includes seven tests aimed at early cancer detection.