The latest statistics on cancer released by the Health Ministry reveals that 71 persons in every 100,000 Sri Lankans suffer from cancer. Around 43.6 per cent of deaths in Sri Lanka this year occurred due to cancer and it was only 27.9 in 1985, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, 385 child cancer patients are discovered annually from the one to 14 age group.

Lymphoma and Leukaemia are the most common types of cancer among children. Between one and three people die of oral cancer daily. “Annually, 16 male oral cancer patients and four female oral cancer patients are detected from every 100,000 persons. Smoking and betel chewing are the main reasons for developing oral cancer. Using excessive alcohol is another main reason for developing liver cancer, “he said. Breasts, mouth (oral), cervix, thyroid, colon, rectum and cancer in the ovaries are some of the common cancers in Sri Lanka.

“Lymphoma is another common cancer in Sri Lanka. Around 79 Sri Lankan elders in every 100,000 suffer from cancer,” the spokesman said.

“Most males suffer from cancers, such as, oral, lung, colon, rectum and limps while females mostly suffer from cancer in the breasts, cervix, ovaries etc,” he added.

By Nadira GUNATILLEKE
Source : Daily News (Sri Lanka)