Vienna Health Association revolutionizes cancer treatment with innovations!

Vienna Health Association revolutionizes cancer treatment with innovations!

Wien, Österreich - In 2023, more than 8,000 people received the shocking diagnosis of cancer in Vienna, including 4,216 women and 3,920 men. The Vienna Health Association treated around 38,000 cancer patients last year, with the most common cancer affecting breast, skin, prostate, digestive organs and lungs. The diagnosis rate in lung cancer is particularly alarming: only 20 percent of the cases are recognized at an early stage, which significantly reduces the chances of recovery. Thanks to promising methods such as the low-dose CAN, which are recommended, especially in high-risk patients, this could soon change, as on press.wien.gv.at is reported.

innovative treatment methods revolutionize the cancer supply

A groundbreaking treatment method that has been used in the Vienna Health Association since the end of last year is the Nivats method (non intubated video assisted thoracic surgery). This technique enables the removal of lung cancer tumors without general anesthesia and is particularly advantageous for older patients with previous illnesses. "The procedure is just as painful as general anesthesia, but significantly gentler," explains Stefan Watzka, board member of thoracic surgery. This not only improves recovery, but also reduces the risks of an intensive care unit.

In addition, Car-T cell therapy is becoming increasingly important, especially in blood cancer such as leukemia. This innovative therapy uses genetically modified immune cells to target tumor cells and has proven to be extremely effective. The chances of survival of cancer patients increase through such progress in diagnosis and treatment, even if cancer remains the second most common cause of death in Austria, as is also reported. The social burden for those affected is not to be underestimated, since many have difficulties after the illness to return to professional life. Around 23 percent of the previously working patients are no longer in working life after two years, which often leads to financial and psychological stress.

Psychosocial support is strengthened by offers such as the psycho -oncological support of the Vienna Health Association, the affected and their relatives should help to deal with these challenges. Projects such as oncare.wien enable patients to receive initial treatment within ten working days and offer valuable support in difficult times.