• Emphasis on breast, cervical and paediatric cancers  

Sri Lanka has updated its cancer control plan to match World Health Organisation (WHO) goals of this year to 2030, focusing on early detection, speedy diagnosis, higher treatment coverage, and improved survival rates for breast, cervical and childhood cancers, Consultant Community Physician and Head of the Strategic Information Management Unit, Dr  Suraj Perera said.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (28), Dr  Perera said yesterday (28) that the WHO has identified breast, cervical and paediatric cancers as priority cancers for its global initiative. The organisation has identified three main targets to be achieved by 2030. One is detecting breast cancer at an early stage - at stages one and two. Accordingly, 60 per cent of breast cancer patients should be detected at this stage. 

Dr  Perera said that, according to the local situation, the country has already achieved more than two-thirds - about 66 per cent of patients present themselves to cancer centres at an early stage. “We are however working on improving this percentage further, in line with WHO targets, because, if the patient is diagnosed at an early stage, they can be cured. Secondly, diagnosis should be completed within 60 days once breast cancer has been detected, rather than waiting for a longer period. 

All investigations need to be done within this period. Thirdly, 80 per cent of breast cancer patients need to be offered all modes of treatment according to the Global Breast Cancer Initiative”. He said that in cervical cancer, the target is that 90 per cent of girls should be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) before they reach the age of 15 years. 

Further, 70 per cent of women should be screened for cervical cancer at Well Woman Clinics at the ages of 35 and 45 years. Also, 90 per cent of women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer or pre-cancer should be treated. He noted that this is also part of the Global Cervical Cancer Initiative, which Sri Lanka should achieve by 2030. He said that the WHO has identified five priority childhood cancers, which include leukemia, lymphoma, retinoblastoma, nephroblastoma, and low-grade glioma. The WHO has noted that these childhood cancers should be properly treated and that at least 60 per cent survival should be achieved. 

Further explaining, he said that this meant that at least 60 per cent of childhood cancer patients should survive for more than five years. He said that Sri Lanka has already been able to achieve this target as well. He noted that the WHO’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancers also called for improving the quality of life of paediatric cancer patients. Responding to further queries, Dr  Perera said that these paediatric cancers are curable.