The Ministry of Health National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is due to open new cancer early detection centres for each province by the end of this year, with the first being opened in Jaffna next month.“Currently there is only one cancer early detection centre in the country under the NCCP, in Narahenpita. Next month, we will be opening another one at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, followed by new centres in the remaining provinces by the end of this year,” NCCP Director Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana told The Morning yesterday (14).Since Sri Lanka is currently diagnosing on average 82 new cancer cases and recording 48 cancer-related deaths per day, Dr. Vidanapathirana said that early detection of cancer is vital for early treatment and cure.“A third of cancers can be detected in the early stages and cured through timely treatment. If detected early, cancers can be completely cured and the quality of life drastically improved,” said Dr. Vidanapathirana.According to Dr. Vidanapthirana, among females, the most common type of cancer is breast cancer, both globally and in Sri Lanka. She recommended that early detection should be carried out through self-checkups by observing the breasts for abnormal appearances such as lumps and colour changes 10 days after menstruation.Dr. Vidanapathirana further said that cervical cancer, the third most common type of cancer among females in Sri Lanka, can be detected through a pap smear test. “Pap smear tests are available at women’s clinics attached to the Ministry of Health. Women between the ages of 35 and 45 must prioritise this test, as early detection can lead to early treatment and cure,” she assured. Dr. Vidanapathirana emphasised that if cancer is detected in the first and second stages, then the patient must follow the advice of medical doctors, instead of resorting to superstitious treatments and delaying medical treatments.“Although chemotherapy treatments are difficult to endure due to temporary side effects such as loss of appetite and hair, those can be remedied,” she said.Dr. Vidanapathirana added that recently, thyroid cancers have become the second most common type of cancer, a shift from cervical cancers. She told The Morning that the NCCP is investigating the causes related to this change.Commenting on cancer cases among males, Dr. Vidanapathirana said that oral cancer is the most common, followed by lung cancer and cancer in the oesophagus.She also said that a third of cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. “Tobacco causes 15 types of cancer while alcohol leads to five types of cancer. Areca nuts, typically consumed when chewing betel leaf, results in oral cancer,” said Dr Vidanapathirana.She further mentioned that consuming at least five different types of fruits and vegetables per day and maintaining a physically active lifestyle are also beneficial, as these reduce obesity and maintain the body mass index (BMI), which in turn reduces the risk of cancer.Cancer is a non-communicable disease which is caused by an abnormal cell growth in an uncontrollable manner in any part of the body. The number of new cancer cases are increasing both globally and locally each year. Within the last five years, Sri Lanka recorded an average number of 30,000 new cancer patients per year and an average 16,700 cancer-related deaths per year. There are currently 24 cancer treatment centres in Sri Lanka, with nine of them being main provincial treatment ones.
