KARACHI: Health experts at a public awareness session held on Thursday raised serious concern over the alarming increase in esophageal cancer cases among the youth and linked the worrisome pattern to the consumption of tobacco products including paan, chhaalia, gutka, niswar and cigarette.

They were speaking a programme organised at the Arag Auditorium by Department of Surgery, Upper GI & Bariatric Unit, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), in collaboration with Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) in connection with the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Day.

The experts noted that the diagnosis of esophageal cancer was often delayed, despite the fact that early detection could make treatment simpler and more effective. In initial stages, the disease could even be managed through endoscopic intervention.

They also shared details of a case involving a 10-year-old who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer at CHK.

“The government must strictly enforce the law on curbing the widespread availability of gutka and related products,” Prof Saad Khalid Niaz said, emphasizing that controlling the rising incidence of esophageal cancer would be difficult without decisive action.

In his remarks, Prof Saeed Quraishy said that laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgeries were initiated in 2017 at DUHS and since then progressed steadily. He also stressed the need for further strengthening collaboration with the Sindh Institute of Gastroenterology to enhance patient care.

Prof Nazli Hossain said efforts were underway to expand these advanced surgical facilities to the Ojha Campus, DUHS.

Prof Sajida Qureshi told the audience that the upper GI & bariatric unit at DUH was among the few centers in Pakistan providing comprehensive esophageal cancer treatment, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery, entirely free of cost.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026