Cyprus, a European Union member state, is a small island in the Mediterranean with a population approaching 900,000 people. Cancer is the second leading cause of death; more therapeutic options for any patient with the disease are available in a central oncology centre in the capital of the island (Nicosia) and fewer therapeutic options (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapy only) in a few other public hospitals. Palliative care is offered in several hospices and hospitals, although the field needs improvement. With regards to screening, a national breast cancer screening programme has been in place countrywide since 2007 and is offered free of charge to women between the ages of 50 and 69 years, while colorectal and prostate cancer screening is performed on an individual basis (a pilot programme for colorectal cancer screening was recently initiated). Genetic testing is available for breast and colon cancer. To improve understanding of the causes of cancer in the country, a cancer research centre was established in 2010 (Mediterranean Centre for Cancer Research). Recent epidemiologic work has revealed increasing cancer trends in Cyprus; prostate cancer is the most common in men and breast cancer is the most common in women. Interestingly, thyroid cancer incidence in women has been rising from 1998 to 2008. Cancer of the colon and rectum is also on the rise affecting both sexes. Overall, cancer incidence in Cyprus is lower than other EuroMed countries with similar lifestyle and geography.

To compare the prevalence of hepatitis viral markers among soldiers from Turkey, blood donors from Northern Cyprus, and soldiers from Northern Cyprus.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence, HBV DNA, HCV RNA and HCV genotyping among soldiers from Turkey (group I), civil blood donors from Northern Cyprus (group II), and soldier candidates from Northern Cyprus (group III) were studied and compared to one another. In total, 17545 cases (13546 males and 3999 females with a mean age of 34.5 +/- 10.3 year, group I = 11234, group II = 5057, and group III = 1254) were included into the study.

Among all cases, HBsAg positivity rates were 2.46%, anti-HCV was 0.46% and anti-HIV was 0.00%. HBV DNA was 2.25%, HCV RNA was 0.33% in all groups. HBsAg positivity rates were 2.16% in group I, 3.00% in group II and 2.71% in group III. There was a significant difference between group I and group II (c2 = 6.11, P = 0.047 < 0.05). Anti-HCV positivity rates were 0.45% in group I, 0.45% in group II, and 0.56% in group III. Genotypes of HCV were 1b and 1a in group I, 1b, 1a and 2 in group II, and 1b, 1a in group III. HBsAg carrier rates were 2.20% in females and 2.53% in males. Anti-HCV prevalence was 0.38% in females and 0.48% in males. HBsAg positivity rates were 2.53% in individuals younger than 50, and 1.47% in older than 50. There was a significant difference between the two groups (c2 = 23.48, P = 0.001).

Prevalences of HBsAg, HCV and HIV infections in Northern Cyprus population are similar to those of Turkey.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important cause of morbidity in military forces. HBV threatens a safe blood supply for mass casualties, contributes to rising health care costs and presents an occupational risk to health care workers. The susceptibility of soldiers reflects that of other residents of their country of origin. In intermediate and high-prevalence regions, infections usually occur in young adults and follow exposure to an HBV carrier through blood or sexual contact. Control of HBV infections must rely on education regarding risk factors, screening of blood donors and immunization. Military populations provide unique opportunities for studying the epidemiology of hepatitis B and carrying out mass vaccination programmes.

Hepatitis B infection and its sequelae remain major public health problems internationally despite the existence of sensitive tests to screen blood and blood products for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and immunogenic vaccines. Since the human hepatitis B virus has no known animal reservoir, a systematic vaccination programme against hepatitis B, including vaccination of all newborns and young children within the framework of the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization, as well as protection of high-risk individuals, together with the testing of all blood and blood products for HBsAg, could eliminate hepatitis B virus infection and its sequelae. However, for the successful realization of this programme, many important and difficult problems need to be solved, especially those related to vaccination strategy, determination of the duration of immunity, investigation of the mechanisms of perinatal and horizontal virus transmission, and improvement of the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine. The problem of the hepatitis B carrier is also paramount as the eradication of hepatitis B can be achieved only after the 300 million carriers of the disease in the world today are either cured or dead.