ACCORDING to the WHO, 8.2 million people die each year from cancer, an estimated 13pc of all deaths worldwide. New cancer cases are estimated to increase by 70pc over the next two decades if we fail to act now.
In Pakistan, every year cancer kills approximately 48,500 males and 52,500 females. Cancer of the mouth and oral cavity is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Pakistani males followed by lung cancer.
In Pakistani females, breast cancer is responsible for most cancer deaths followed by cancer of mouth and oral cavity.
Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer causing about 50pc of cancer deaths in the country. Apart from quitting smolcing and avoiding other forms of tobacco use such as naswar and gutka, an individual can reduce cancer rislc by maintaining a healthy body weight and making physical activity part of their daily lives. Alcohol use is also linked with increasedrisk ofvariouscancers.
The treatment of cancer is very costly.
Every year huge sum of foreign exchange is spent by the government on importing costly medicines for cancer patients. The government can save thousands of humanlives as well as foreign exchange if it adopts measures to prevent people developing cancers. Tobacco control is the key to successincancerprevention.
Two most important measures that can significantly reduce tobacco use in the country is by strictly implementing the ban on smoking at all public places and by making tobacco costly by increased taxation.
The government must also promote physical activity by encouraging people to use bicycles and by setting up parks in every neighborhood, where people can go for walks and exercises.
