Last year in Odesa, 12,390 gastroenterological procedures were conducted, with 240 cases raising concerns about potential gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, commonly known as gastroscopy, is a procedure used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope. This method is crucial for diagnosing gastritis, ulcers, and both benign and malignant tumors at early stages.

It is recommended to undergo gastroscopy after the age of 50, even in the absence of symptoms. If you are under 50 but your physician deems it necessary, obtain a referral and schedule an appointment at a healthcare facility contracted with the National Health Service of Ukraine for gastroscopy.

This service is provided on an outpatient basis; however, if the need for a gastroscopy arises during inpatient treatment, it can also be performed free of charge with a doctor's referral.

Modern video gastroscopes have been purchased for Odesa's medical institutions using municipal budget funds. A referral from a family or treating physician is required for free gastroscopy.

You can schedule a free gastroscopy appointment at the following locations:

- Consultative Diagnostic Center No. 6 — 26a Dobrovoltsiv St. (Marshal Hovorov);

- Consultative Diagnostic Center No. 20 — 62 Levitan St.;

- Consultative Diagnostic Center No. 29 — 32a Academika Zabolotnoho St.;

- City Clinical Hospital No. 1 — 32 Myasoyedovska St.;

- City Clinical Hospital No. 10 — 61 Oleksii Vadatursky (Marshal Malinovsky) St.;

- City Clinical Hospital No. 11 — 5 Vitalii Nesterenko (Akademik Vorobyov) St.;

- Children's City Clinical Hospital No. 3 (for children) — 26a Academika Zabolotnoho St.