Cancer in adults and children hits a new high

by Carol Aloysius

The incidence of cancer and its mortality rates have soared to a new high, Health Ministry officials said.

Consultant Community Physician of the National Cancer Control Program, Dr Suraj Perera discussing the "Epidemiology of Cancer," at a workshop on cancer early this week, said recent estimates revealed that oral, lung, oesophagus and colon cancer were the commonest found in males, while breast, cervical, thyroid and ovarian cancer were common among females in Sri Lanka.

He said the incidence of cancer deaths was rising. There were 8,063 cancer fatalities in 2001 compared to 10,386 by the year 2012.

Childhood cancer is also on the rise, he said. Recent statistics reveal that there were 370 children with cancer in year 2000 - 191 males and 179 females. This number had risen to 411 in 2007 - males (234) and females (177).

"The need of the hour is a holistic approach in prevention and cancer control", he said.

The workshop on Cancer Genetics was organised by the Human Genetics Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo University with the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists.

Speaking on the reported shortage in the media of six cancer drugs, Medical Director, Health Ministry, Dr Kamal Jayasinghe told the Sunday Observer, that of the six drugs reported to be in short supply, four were available at the Medical Stores of the Ministry at the time the reports were published.

Regarding the other two drugs, he said, "We have called for quotations from our suppliers abroad through our local agents and hope to get them down soon".