World Cancer Day: Free treatment of cancer in Pakistan

The world is observing World Cancer Day today (4th February) to create awareness about cancer. The theme for the year 2020 ‘I am and I will’, acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 9.6 million people die each year from cancer. However, Cancer has now become a curable disease. Advancements in medical fields have made it possible to cure cancer.

Today on World Cancer Day, we bring you some basic knowledge should know about the disease.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer occurrs when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor.  From these tumors some cancer cells can break off and travel to distant places in the body through the blood or the lymph system and form new tumors far from the original tumor site. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body.

Most common cancers in Pakistan

Pakistan is the leading country of cancer cases in Asia. According to reports, every year, nearly 300,000 new cases of various kinds of cancer are reported from across the country. 

Many types of cancers exist in the world but some of the most common cancers in Pakistan are:1

1) Breast Cancer: It is one of the most common cancers in Pakistan as 90,000 new cases are diagnosed every year out of which 40,000 result in death. According to a medical survey 1 out of 9 women are likely to suffer this disease. Breast cancer affects the breast tissues.

2) Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer: It is the second most common cancer in Pakistan, with an estimated 5-year prevalence of 30,647 cases, 12,761 newly diagnosed cases and 7,266 deaths in 2012. The main risk factors associated with the cancer of lip and oral cavity include tobacco smoke from cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, poor nutrition, drinking alcohol, betel, and gutka.

3) Lung Cancer: This is the third most commonly diagnosed and leading cause of cancer related death in Pakistan. Lung cancer is when the growth of abnormal cells increase in the lungs. These cells block the airways, which makes the breathing process difficult. 

Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer often has no specific symptoms, however, it is diagnosed when the disease reaches its final stage and becomes incurable. The reason is that the diagnosis of this disease is not easy.

Since there are many types of cancers, so it follows that symptoms of the cancers are also different. However,  some of the notable symptoms of this deadly disease are a persistent cough, blood-tinged saliva, fever, change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, fewer red blood cells, blood in urine, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. Some other symptoms include pain in the body, skin changes, white spots on tongue, indigestion or trouble swallowing.

Precautionary measures for Cancer

Some important measures for preventing cancer are to eat healthily and maintain a good diet, which includes fruits and vegetables. Don’t use tobacco as it is one of the leading causes of cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight and exercise three days at least in a week. Get vaccinated from viral infections, and having regular medical checkups can increase the chances of discovering cancer at an early stage.

Free Cancer treatment in Pakistan

Many hospitals in Pakistan are providing great treatment for cancer without any fees. Below is a short list:

1) Jinnah Hospital in Karachi is treating cancer for free. More than 6000 patients are being treated annually at this hospital. Jinnah Hospital has the world’s most expensive robotic machine through which treatment of this disease is possible.

2) Karachi’s Civil hospital is also providing free treatment to cancer patients. The robotic theater in this hospital is fully functional through which expensive operations of cancer are done free of charge.

3) Indus Hospital treats this deadly disease for free as well. Their pediatric oncology department also caters to the psychological welfare of child patients free of cost. 

4) Bait-ul-Sukoon hospital at Hill Park too is treating cancer without any fees. Any one can go to the hospital for free treatment which includes operations and medicines. 

5) Shaukat Khanum hospital, founded by prime minister Imran Khan in the memory of his late mother, continues to treat cancer for free in patients who are unable to afford treatment. The hospital is seen as a trusted and leading center for cancer care throughout the country.