Cancer Risk Much Greater Due To Unawareness And Late Diagnosis

The former Director Nuclear Institute of Medicines and Radiotherapy (NIMRA), Professor Dr. Naeem Leghari said that timely diagnosis of cancer could help the experts to counter the disease, however, the rate of cancer related death is high due to lack of awareness and prevention against it at initial an stage

HYDERABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Jan, 2018 ) :The former Director Nuclear Institute of Medicines and Radiotherapy (NIMRA), Professor Dr. Naeem Leghari said that timely diagnosis of cancer could help the experts to counter the disease, however, the rate of cancer related death is high due to lack of awareness and prevention against it at initial an stage.

The majority of cancer patients being approached at NIMRA Jamshoro from different parts of the country particularly Sindh are victims of late diagnosis, he said while talking to APP here on Wednesday.

He informed that there are many symptoms to diagnose cancer and if the physician failed to control non-healing wounds, unexplained fever and weight losing as well as bleeding in sputum, urine and stool through his prescription, he must refer the patient to a cancer specialist.

About the cases being referred to NIMRA, Dr. Naeem Leghari said that majority of the patients were suffering from Ear, Nose, Throat, Buckle Cavity, Tongue, Breast and Lung Cancer. The spreading of different kinds of cancer was because of polluted atmosphere, malnutrition, tobacco chewing and smoking, he said and added that there is the need to create awareness among the people to adopt preventive measures by replacing indolent living standard with healthy diet.

Dr. Naeem Leghari said that Pakistan is on top of other countries in the cases of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Cancer and if both the government and the community fails to take serious notice over the use of tobacco in all kinds, the death rate as a result of ENT Cancer could further be increased in the country, added.

He said that tobacco smoking and chewing, use of injurious "Gutka", "Mainpuri", "Pan-Parag", Betel nuts and other materials are the main causes of different kinds of ENT cancer among males. Besides, he said that breast cancer among females particularly the inhabitants of rural parts of Sindh is also one rise due to lesser information and prevention against the disease.

The treatment of cancer is very costly in private sector hospitals and affordable only for those, who have sufficient amount for such treatment, he said and added that NIMRA is a real hope for needy and deserving cancer-allied patients of the country particularly in Sindh.

NIMRA is playing a pivotal role in diagnosing and managing the disease and treatment of cancer to a large population of poor, Dr. Naeem Leghari informed.