30% cancers preventable Director National Cancer Control Programme

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama

Around thirty per cent of cancers are preventable and it is the second leading cause of death in Sri Lanka and worldwide, National Cancer Control Programme Director Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana said.   

While publicising the ‘Aayu plus’ social media platform yesterday Dr. Vidanapathirana said effective treatment is possible for another one-third depending on early detection and availability of resources.   

“One-third of cancer’s  can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. The remaining one third with advanced disease, pain relief and palliation can be provided to improve quality of life,” she said.   

She said every diagnosed adult and pediatric patient should have access to treatment. Diagnostics and treatment facilities, human resources will be identified for each level after need assessment and scale-up plans have been prepared to provide service based on the availability of resources, Dr. Vidanapathirana said.   “According to the 2018 Globocan estimate, in Sri Lanka, there were 23,530 new cancer cases which accounted for 64 new patients diagnosed with cancer per day. Furthermore, the number of cancer-related deaths were 14,013 for that year which is 38 deaths per day in Sri Lanka,” he said.   However, social media may be the place that everyone can open up and discuss their queries. We aim people will improve their knowledge and update how and when to access for health through this Aayu plus project, Dr. Vidanapathirana said.