PET scan center opens in Belarus to usher in age of personalized medicine

The opening of the positron emission tomography (PET) center in Belarus will usher in the age of personalized medicine. The relevant matters were discussed during the PET scan center’s opening ceremony in the N.N. Aleksandrov National Oncology and Medical Radiology Center on 7 October. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko took part in the ceremony, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that the oncological morbidity rate is on the rise in all European countries, including Belarus. This is why the President was interested in learning how the new PET scan center will allow properly resolving the problem and in whether the PET scan center will be sufficient for the country. Oleg Sukonko, Director of the National Oncology and Medical Radiology Center, specified that the PET scan center will resolve the problem for the next ten years and will be able to cater not only to Belarus but also bordering regions of the neighboring countries.

The new facility has been equipped with tools to allow early diagnostics of oncological, neurological and cardiological diseases. It also allows prescribing precise treatment schemes and choosing the medicine that will be best for the patient. Thus, Belarus is one of the first few countries to enter the age of individualized and personalized medicine.

During the tour of the National Oncology and Medical Radiology Center Alexander Lukashenko was made familiar with the equipment of the PET scan center. The head of state examined its labs as well as the molecular genetics lab for cancer research that was commissioned in August 2015. The lab comprises six diagnostics departments that specialize in their own fields of molecular oncology studies. The lab also produces antitumor vaccines and develops new methods to treat cancer patients using cell products.

Apart from that, the President was informed about the state of affairs in the National Oncology and Medical Radiology Center, its prospects, development of diagnostics, prevention and treatment of oncological diseases. Alexander Lukashenko was informed about accomplishments of the oncological service and the healthcare system on the whole as well as the production of Belarus-made antitumor medications.