KARACHI: Country lacks cancer registries, say experts
KARACHI, July 8: There happens to be no cancer registry at the provincial or federal levels to help assess the contributory factors of cancer and pave way for a comprehensive prevention-cum-treatment strategy despite a confirmed surge in the incidence of adult and paediatric cancer cases in the country. The fact was repeatedly highlighted in numerous presentations made by experts from across the country along with oncologists of Pakistani origin, based in the developed world, attending the ‘Third International Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Conference and First International Conference on Paediatric Oncology’ that commenced on Friday.
The three-day event was addressed by both Pakistani and foreign experts from various parts of the world including the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, etc.
Pakistani experts with specific reference to Pakistan reminded with concern that cancers among children with more than 75 per cent chances of recovery come to as low as 40 to 45 per cent due to lack of public awareness, and also the fact that a large majority of local general physicians appeared to be ignorant regarding appropriate diagnosis of the disease.
Acknowledging the fact that there was dearth of well-qualified and trained paediatric oncologists, it was reminded with regret that little information also existed about the right places where proper treatment could be available to such children.
In context to contributory factors for paediatric oncology, the experts said they were mainly genetic in nature; however, mothers with a habit of smoking or consuming tobacco were more prone to bear kids with chances of cancer.
Meanwhile, referring to incidences of sub-mucous fibrosis among Pakistani children and adolescents, experts said data collected through sources showed that to be considerably high due to consumption of sweetened and coloured betel nuts and its products.
It was also stated that retinoblastoma (eye cancer) was registered to be high in children belonging to Karachi as compared to most parts of the world.
No exact reason could be identified; however, the speakers were unanimous in seeing a need to conduct a proper study to identify the exact cause for the condition, generally believed to be genetic in nature.
It was mentioned that no less than 4,000 to 5,000 children were estimated to be inflicted with one or the other type of cancer each year, and more than 80 per cent of them were said to be diagnosed very late severely compromising their chances of survival.
With regard to cancer incidence in the country’s adult population, it was mentioned that data compiled at a few specialised treatments centres in the country showed a total number of 35,000 registered cases of cancer, pertaining to the age group of above 18 years.
While another study estimated the total number of such patients to be from around 180,000 to 200,000.
The gap between registered patients and those unregistered reflected lack of proper treatment facilities coupled with poor awareness on part of the masses as well as medical professionals.
Leukaemia followed by lymphoma were said to be the most common cancers among local children. While cancers of the head, neck and throat were commonly registered in the adult males, and breast cancer topped the list of all categories in women.
Pakistan needs well-defined steps for cancer control, for which awareness and prevention is the most cost-effective programme, as it reduces the incidence of cancer by risk factor modification.
This was suggested by Dr Syed Javaid Khurshid of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Islamabad in his presentation at the conference. He was discussing ‘National Cancer Control Programme’.
He said risk factors like alcohol, tobacco, bad diet and physical inactivity were also risk factors for most non-communicable diseases and, therefore, an approach was needed towards lifestyle modification.
It may be mentioned that some 320,000 new cases of cancer are expected every year in Pakistan, while only 20 cancer hospitals are working for its control and treatment dealing with nearly 65,000 new cases and treating about 400,000 cancer patients every year.
There is no population-based survey and the only data available is hospital-based.
“It is noticed that 70 per cent cancer cases are environment related whereas only 30 per cent are due to dietary practices, reproductive and sexual practices,” Dr Khurshid said, adding that screening programme for early diagnosis was very important.
He said there was no well-defined programme on the country-level for cancer control in Pakistan.
As many as 13 cancer hospitals belong to the PAEC alone, which annually treat about 325,000 patients including 45,000 new cases.
Over 45 local and foreigner speakers delivered their presentations.—APP/PPI
