Causes of cancer explained at seminar

KARAK: A daylong seminar was held at the Khushal Khan Khattak University Karak on Tuesday to create awareness among the people about the causes of cancer.

The seminar was held with the collaboration of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Director, Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicines (IRNUM) Peshawar, Dr Abdur Rauf Khattak, described the different causes of the cancer spread.

He described the major causes of cancer like air pollution created by industries, viruses, bacteria and radiations. The director said cancer was on the rise worldwide.

He mentioned that smoking was the major cause of lung cancer. He added that non-sterilization of equipment used in different surgical operations in hospitals were also causing hepatitis which later turned into cancer.

The director said that the government was providing a cancer treatment facility on the subsidized rate to the poor segment of society.

Director of the Bannu Institute of Nuclear Medicines Oncology and Radiotherapy Dr Muhammad Rauf said different treatment facilities of cancer available in the hospital and said the people of the southern districts could get the facility at a low cost.

Director General Safety of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Dr Hussain Majid apprised the participants about the safety measures in the exploration of the radioactive substances. There was no danger of radiation from the local Uranium extraction in Karak, he explained.

On the occasion, the spokesperson of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Shahid Riaz Khan highlighted the efforts of the commission for creating awareness among the people about the causes of cancer.

Dr Inamul Haq, head of the department of Bio-Informatics and Computer Science, thanked the officials of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and doctors on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mirza Jan for arranging the seminar and called for more such useful activities.