33,000 new cancer cases, 19,000 deaths last year

He stressed the importance of reducing risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, noting that most cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes, with only a small percentage attributed to genetic factors.   

“Global cancer statistics from 2022 showed nearly 20 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths. In Sri Lanka, breast, oral, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most deadly. Last year alone, 4,555 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, while 1,990 men were found to have oral cancer,” Dr. Mahipala stated.