World Cancer Day: 90% cancers curable if diagnosed in time: expert

The best way to fight this cancer is in early detection


Our Correspondent February 05, 2016
The best way to fight this cancer is in early detection PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:


Shifa International Hospital (SIH) Consultant Medical Oncologist Dr Kamran Rasheed told participants of a seminar on Thursday said that 90 per cent of cancers were curable if diagnosed in time.


He said that cancer was a very serious disease but it could be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyle and indulging in physical activity and exercise.

Dr Rasheed, while speaking at the seminar held here at the SIH organised to mark the World Cancer Day said that cancer treatment was more successful today than ever before.

He said that smoking tobacco, sheesha, alcohol, family history, environment, excessive exposure to sunlight and infections were some of the risks for developing cancer.

Dr Rasheed said that timely screening, active and healthy lifestyle and evading avoidable risk factors could protect people from all types of cancer.

He said that currently, 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year.

SIH Consultant Medical Oncologist and Breast Cancer Expert Dr Saira Hassan said breast cancer was the commonest cancer in women worldwide and Pakistan had the highest incidence of breast cancer in entire Asia.

“The best way to fight this cancer is in early detection,” Dr Hassan remarked, and said that one in eight women was at the risk of developing breast cancer in her life.

SIH Consultant Radiation Oncologist Dr Muhammad Farrukh said that an estimated 32.6 million people were living with cancer worldwide.

He said that cancer was rapidly spreading in developing countries such as Pakistan, and cancer would become the leading cause of death by 2020.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2016.

COMMENTS (1)

Asif | 8 years ago | Reply Government will make sure that cancer remain number two cause of death no matter who comes to power. Poverty, hunger and living condition will stay ahead of cancer.
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