Cancer mortality rates in Slovakia rank as the third highest in the EU, revealing notable regional and socioeconomic inequalities. Cancer screening allows cancer detection at an early stage, which significantly increases cancer treatment efficacy and improves patient outcomes. However, participation in screening programs in Slovakia is still insufficient. Moreover, the 2023 OECI country health profile showed significant differences in screening participation based on socioeconomic status, which are wider than those across the EU. Thus, raising public awareness to increase participation in cancer screening programs is of major concern and represents a huge challenge! 

In response to this pressing challenge, the Slovak Cancer Research Foundation, in cooperation with the Slovak Ice Hockey Association, calls for a responsible and proactive public approach towards organized cervical, colorectal, and breast cancer screening and invites all people who have received the invitation for cancer screening to participate. This appeal will also be heard at all six stadiums on Sunday, February 4, where the 42nd round of the hockey extra league will be played with players, referees, implementation teams, and hockey stars. A motivating leaflet and the short video spot will reach and touch thousands of people attending the hockey matches personally and also those watching hockey during television broadcasting. Because...“Only together we are stronger to fight against cancer!“ 

Slovak hockey legend Jozef Golonka, who is celebrating his 85^th birthday, joined this appeal through a short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viLAjPtFvzo&t=15s).