Number of cancer cases continuously on the rise

Islamabad : The number of cases of all types of cancers being reported at healthcare facilities is on the rise in Pakistan though it cannot be ascertained whether the rise in reporting of cases is due to greater incidence of the disease, awareness among public or because of greater number of screening of patients.

An estimated 100,000 people die of various types of cancers every year in Pakistan while over 300,000 new individuals are diagnosed with cancer every year in the country adding up to the existing pool of millions of cancer patients.

Following the same trend, the number of cancer patients being reported at Oncology Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences is continuously on the rise as the PIMS receives 700 to 800 new patients of cancer every month on average amounting to registration of over 9000 new cancer patients every year.

It is though ironical that the PIMS oncology department is the only one operating in public sector in this region of the country with 18 beds in ward to cater to the needs of well over five million people living in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and also accommodating patients coming from towns stretching from Attock to Jhelum, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The PIMS oncology department receives 100 cancer patients per day on average of which 25 to 30 are new cases and the routine remains the same throughout the year, said Head of Oncology Department at PIMS Professor Dr. Qasim Mehmood while talking to ‘The News’ on Tuesday in connection with World Cancer Day observed on February 4 around the globe.

Certainly, there is a consistent increase in number of cancer patients being registered at PIMS and the space at PIMS for cancer patients remains ‘double occupied’ as at any time, over 35 cancer patients are undergoing treatment at oncology department including those accommodated in medical ward and in private rooms, he said while responding to a query.

He said cases of all types of cancers being reported at PIMS are on the rise but top of the list is breast cancer following cancer cases of large intestine, stomach, liver and blood cancer. Increase in number of cancer cases can be attributed to incidence, awareness or screening but nothing can be assumed in the absence of proper data at national level, he said.

He, however, added that with the increase in population, there is an increase in number of cancer cases. Diagnostic facilities have also been increased a little and also people are getting awareness, he said.

Talking of the reasons behind greater number of cancer patients, he said smoking, use of tobacco products, ‘paan’ (betel leaf with areca nut), hepatitis B and C and use of unhygienic foodstuff are among the main reasons.

Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, physical inactivity and pollution can also be attributed to increase in incidence of cancers along with exposure to occupational (e.g. asbestos) carcinogens, first and second hand smoke and radiations including ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, excessive X-Rays, he said.

He added prevention is the best option. People should avoid tobacco use and smoking and patients with hepatitis C should get treatment as early as possible. Women should get vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) and individuals should get hepatitis B virus vaccination (HBV) that will prevent cervical and liver cancers respectively, he said.

Dr. Qasim said to control the rapid increase in cancer incidences, there is a need to run public awareness campaigns on regular basis and to minimise losses, the government should establish at least screening facilities in all districts or major towns of the country.