Free check-up for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancer will be launched in Moscow.

A project on the prevention of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract is being launched in the capital. Muscovites who have not undergone such diagnostics for several years will be able to undergo free endoscopic examinations in city polyclinics and endoscopic centers, said Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

"We have already achieved a high detection rate of oncological diseases, but it is equally important to prevent malignant neoplasms. The experts of the Moscow Cancer Society approached us with just such an initiative. Realizing the urgency of this problem, we are launching a pilot project aimed at preventing cancer of the digestive tract," said the Vice Mayor.

According to her, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract have been developing asymptomatically for a long time. "At the same time, clearly understanding the age at which diseases can make their debut, we suggest that Muscovites do not wait for any symptoms, but undergo an examination proactively and free of charge. It will help not only to identify, but also to cure pathologies that can lead to the development of cancer," added Rakova.

She stressed that referrals for patients who have not undergone gastro and colonoscopy over the past few years will be opened at EMIAS automatically. "Patients can choose a convenient time and prepare for the study with high quality," said Rakova.

Gastroscopy in the clinic is performed under local anesthesia and takes no more than 30 minutes. Gastro- and colonoscopy in the endoscopic center is under mild sedation. The total time spent in a medical facility does not exceed two hours. The examination includes rapid testing for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. If a pathology is detected, a general practitioner or a general practitioner will contact the patient and prescribe treatment.