ISLAMABAD: Seminars, awareness sessions and conferences were held in the capital city to mark World Cancer Day on Sunday.It is a matter of concern that despite awareness campaigns the disease is on the rise in the country and every year nearly 100,000 people lose battle against cancer.

After cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the second biggest killer in the world and there were an estimated 8.2 million deaths from cancer in 2012.

In Pakistan alone, there are more than 1.4 million cancer patients. Smoking and use of various tobacco forms are the major risk factors behind the incidence of cancer.

During an event held at the Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (Nori), Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui said the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was providing treatment to the patients.

“Cancer is a disease which affects the whole family rather than a patient because its treatment is very costly and it becomes impossible for the family to afford it. However, hospitals established by the PAEC are providing treatment to the cancer patients across the country.”

Mr Siddiqui said 80pc patients got treatment from hospitals established under the commission. He announced to open a library for children at Nori.

Nori’s Director Dr Mohammad Faheem said there were 35 hospitals for the treatment of cancer in Pakistan. Nori has 18 branches in the country. The first hospital under Nori was established in 1983.

Meanwhile, the head of Pakistan Sweet Homes Zamarud Khan has announced to provide free education to children suffering from cancer.

In a message, he said most of the children suffering from the disease belonged to poor families who cannot afford to get education.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2018