A cancer specialist has highlighted a worrying increase in colorectal, liver, and oral cancer cases among young people, pointing to plastic use, food contamination, and environmental factors as major causes, calling for timely detection to ensure successful treatment.
Oncologist Dr Muhammad Ali Memon, while speaking to a local news channel on Sunday, highlighted that these cancers have seen a 79% rise in the last two decades, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and prevention.
He described this sharp rise as a significant public health concern, emphasising the urgent need for increased awareness, early screening and preventive measures among the younger population.
Dr Memon further explained that chemical preservatives used in processed foods, consumption of frozen and contaminated items and the presence of plastic in soil and the food chain are major contributing factors. According to him, these elements disrupt bodily functions and reproductive health, increasing the risk of developing serious cancers at a younger age.
He further highlighted the role of deteriorating environmental conditions, pointing to reduced green cover and rapid urbanisation, particularly in major cities such as Lahore and Karachi.
He stressed that lack of plantation, poor air quality, and soil pollution, combined with plastic infiltration into the food chain, are significantly impacting public health.
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