According to the World Health Organization’s forecasts, cancer cases worldwide will increase by more than 75% by 2050. Globally, lung and breast cancer remain the most common types.
During the war, the situation for Ukrainian cancer patients has become particularly challenging. However, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, European countries have opened their medical facilities to Ukrainian patients free of charge or at minimal cost.
Medical Evacuation System: How It Works
Since the war began, Ukraine has implemented a medical evacuation mechanism (MedEvac) for patients requiring specialized treatment and rehabilitation. This program operates through collaboration between Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and the European Commission. Weekly evacuation flights follow a well-established protocol. The Ministry of Health informs EU and European Economic Area countries about patients needing evacuation. When member countries receive these requests, they provide proposals for patient admission and treatment.
Applications for evacuation can be submitted through the regional Department of Health. Contact information for local departments can be found at the provided link.
Treatment Experience in Norway: Lyudmyla’s Story
In 2023, the leading countries for medical evacuations (not only cancer patients) were Germany with 423 patients, Norway with 207 patients, and Poland with 178 patients.
Our compatriot Lyudmyla T. from Odesa shared her mother’s cancer treatment experience in Norway. Their story began in early 2023 with a Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis in Ukraine. By October of the same year, doctors declared the disease successfully treated. However, five months later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer with metastases.
“Mom refused treatment in Ukraine, but my father and I couldn’t just sit idle,” Lyudmyla recalls.
The family decided to fly to Norway independently, without using Ukraine’s medical evacuation mechanism. With Stage 4 cancer, they didn’t have time for this procedure. So they bought tickets and flew to Norway without any prior treatment arrangements.
Upon reaching Oslo, they went to the Refugee Reception Center in Røde, where they received collective protection through an expedited procedure due to the cancer diagnosis. During the week-long wait for transfer to Trondheim, Lyudmyla’s mother received necessary supportive therapy.
St. Olaf’s Hospital in Trondheim provided comprehensive examination and full treatment.
“Mom stayed there for 3 months. She had access to all possible medications and tests almost daily. She received quality chemotherapy, professional medical care, and comfortable conditions that were impossible to find in Ukraine,” the daughter remembers.
Unfortunately, Lyudmyla’s mother’s story doesn’t have the happy ending we usually like to write about. But that’s life.
“It ended, cancer proved stronger and mom passed away… But even in her final days and hours, professional medical staff remained by her side. In Norway, they don’t leave dying patients alone.”
“Care and support from strangers in a completely foreign country gave mom three months of life, which we weren’t promised in Ukraine.”
Germany: An Alternative Path of Assistance
Through the medical evacuation mechanism alone, Germany accepted 423 patients with various diagnoses. This country also offers substantial support to Ukrainian cancer patients. Ukrainians can count on free treatment after receiving temporary protection and mandatory health insurance.
Lyudmyla’s cousin and her four-year-old son found refuge in Germany after the war began. The boy became ill, and doctors eventually diagnosed him with blood cancer. A long fight for his life began. Lyudmyla emphasizes that in Germany, the boy received all necessary help to fight the deadly diagnosis, along with comfortable living conditions and psychological support. Eventually, they managed to stop the cancer. Now the boy is 6 years old and has returned to normal life: he started school, began learning German, and has friends.
Cancer Information Service: The service’s website provides advice on where to seek treatment.
Looking to the Future
Each case is unique, and the choice of country for treatment depends on many factors: disease stage, urgency of care, availability of places in clinics, and patient’s personal circumstances. However, the main thing is that such help exists and gives a chance at life to those who need it most.
Lyudmyla T. concludes: despite the war in our native Ukraine, we shouldn’t give up in the fight against cancer. Especially now, when treatment options have opened up for us in many countries.