A new study has found that nearly half of cancers are diagnosed only when the disease is at an advanced stage, meaning treatment is both more expensive and less likely to succeed. Cancer Research UK's Chief Executive Harpal Kumar said that report provides a compelling case for substantial investment in efforts to achieve earlier diagnosis and not to invest in earlier diagnosis is to fail cancer patients.
He said that earlier diagnosis saves lives and it could save critical NHS funds. And in the face of an overstitched NHS and a projected growing number of cancers diagnosed in the years ahead, we need to do everything we can to ensure that all patients have access to the best treatment as early as possible. Unfortunately in Pakistan, a large number of cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to lack of awareness, health expert told Business Recorder.
According to him, early diagnosis can save significant number of lives, however, illiteracy, lack of awareness, social taboos and lack of facilities are common hurdles. Experts said aging is the fundamental factor for the development of cancer and the incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age. They added that one possible promoter is fat food, especially saturated fat from animal products like meat.
Tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity, being overweight and obese, radiation including ultraviolet and ionising radiation, excessive X-Rays, low fruit and vegetable intake, excessive consumption of red and preserved meat, estrogens tablets, high fat diet, genetic factors, infections from hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, pollution and indoor smoke from household use of solid fuels are major risk factors for cancer, they added.