3rd National Conference on “world cancer day 2010”

Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 6:20 pm

“Cancer can be prevented too”

“Of the 12 million people who are diagnosed with cancer each year around 20% of cases can be attributed to viral and bacterial infections that either directly cause or increase the risk of cancer,” said Dr Syed Waqar Haider, Director INMOL, while presiding the 3rd National Conference on the occasion of the “WORLD CANCER DAY 2010”, being held under the auspices of Pakistan Medical Society (P.M.S) in collaboration with INMOL, Lahore. Dr Syed Waqar Haider said that “For this reason the world will focus this year’s World Cancer Day campaign on increasing awareness of the contribution of infections to the global cancer burden.”Cancers caused by viral or bacterial infections can be prevented through strategies such as vaccination and by adopting lifestyle changes, safe behaviors and other control measures, all of which could be implemented worldwide.

Dr Waqar Haider said that dramatic developments have recently taken place with a second vaccine now available that is effective at preventing cancer: the HPV vaccine which protects against the human papilloma virus that can lead to cervical cancer, the third highest cause of death by cancer in women. The very first vaccine protects against the hepatitis B virus which can lead to liver cancer – the third highest cause of death by cancer in men. Chairman Pakistan Medical Society Dr Masood Akhtar sheikh said that Despite the existence of these preventative measures, there is a clear disparity between low- and high-income countries in incidence rates of cancer related to infections (26% vs. 8%), access to prevention programmes and also treatment and care. For example, 80% of global cervical cancer deaths are in developing countries, and even where affordable technology is available, enormous challenges remain due to limitations in disease awareness and public health infrastructures, illustrated by the significant differences in the coverage of hepatitis B vaccination programmes worldwide.”The possibilities offered by prevention calls for increased awareness of how some infections can lead to cancer,” Dr Masood sheikh added that “Policy-makers around the world have the opportunity and obligation to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate their communities towards lifestyle choices and control measures that reduce their risk of cancer.” Protecting against cancer-causing infections is one of the topics addressed under the umbrella of the ‘Cancer can be prevented too’ campaign.

Dr Masood sheikh said that looking at the magnitude of the cancer patients, centers of excellences are needed to be set up at district level, in which comprehensive facilities for the diagnosis & treatment of the cancer patients are to be provided. The centers should have the medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, clinical oncologist & other concerned with the treatment of cancer patients under one roof. There need enhancement in the budget for the cancer patients, as the poor patients can not afford the treatment cost. Operational officer W.H.O Dr Baber Alam said that the campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that the risk of developing cancer can potentially be reduced by up to 40% through simple lifestyle changes and other control measures such as vaccination, regular physical activity, eating healthily, avoiding alcohol consumption, reducing sun exposure and avoiding tobacco. “Comprehensive and coordinated national initiatives that focus on key risk factors are required to realize the full preventive potential of cancer.”.

The worldwide campaign is supported by a provocative digital campaign focusing on these six main lifestyle changes and control measures. Dr Baber Alam said that the world wide awareness campaign has been started against cancer and the world cancer declaration has been made and many countries and organizations are signatory to this declaration, which focus on the prevention of the cancer and devising strategy to prevent the cancer occurrence. The Member Standing committee for health Punjab, Qamar Ul Islam Raja, MPA said that the government is taking all out effort to provide the state of art facilities for the cancer patients. In future we have a plan to set up more community oriented programs & and public awareness campaign. Dr Sohail Murad highlighted that the colorectal cancers are the leading cause of the mortality and morbidity and must be properly looked after. He added that the proper screening programs should be initiated against the prostatic cancers as well, as the regular PSA analysis will help in its early diagnosis.

The skin specialist Prof. Azeem janahgir khan said that skin cancers are the major cause of concern in western population. They are on the rise in Pakistan as well, ay mole on the body, of hypo pigmentation or any sudden change in the skin texture should be of concern. Dr Asma sohail highlighted the major areas in which the diagnostic and treatment facilities have been added in INMOL in recent couple of years dr Misbah hammed also spoke on the occasion and presented a scientific paper.

–
Dr. Masood Akhtar Shaikh
Chairman Pakistan Medical Society
OFFICE: 092-42-7587437,
fAX: 092-42-7563181
CELL: 092-3004409955