'Oral cancer cases in Sindh surge 25% in five years'

Awareness walk calls for action against cancer, drugs and polio

KARACHI:

A walk was held on Sunday to raise awareness about oral cancer, polio eradication and prevention of drug abuse, drawing a large number of citizens of all ages.

The walk, organised by Rotary International District in collaboration with its Oral Health Committee, the Directorate General of Narcotics Control Sindh and the Anti-Narcotics Force, began from McDonald's at Seaview and concluded at Nishan-i-Pakistan.

Participants carried placards and banners highlighting the need to combat oral cancer, polio and drug abuse. The central message of the event, titled "Walk a Cause", was "Say No to Drugs", while other messages included "Speak Up", "Get Checked", "Stay Safe", "Stay Alive" and "Protect Every Child, End Polio".

Speakers said that failure to address the growing incidence of oral cancer could lead to a significant rise in related deaths in the coming years. They stressed that the disease was treatable if detected at an early stage.

They identified the use of gutka, mawa, betel nut, naswar and other tobacco products as major risk factors for oral cancer.

According to the organisers, oral cancer cases in Sindh have increased by 25% over the past five years, underscoring the need to raise public awareness about avoiding tobacco and drugs and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

Participants also called for the establishment of a modern, specialised oral cancer hospital in the metropolis.

They pledged to ensure that every child is vaccinated against polio and reiterated their commitment to making Pakistan polio-free.

They added that government measures were essential not only to raise awareness about drugs, cancer and polio but also to provide treatment and support to affected people.

Participants also called for concrete measures to curb the growing trend of drug use among young people and students. They said protecting the younger generation from drug abuse was not solely the responsibility of the state, but also of parents, guardians and all sections of society.

They stressed that greater awareness and education were essential to containing the spread of drug abuse.

Rotary International District Governor Shehzad Sabir, Director General Narcotics Control Sindh Honk Baloch, Foreign Office Director General Mohammad Irfan Soomro, Sindh Assembly member Rehan Bandukda and nominated District Governor Jabbar Ahmed Sheikh attended the walk, along with representatives of Rotary clubs, the Anti-Narcotics Force, Narcotics Control Sindh and other sections of society.