‘Healthy lifestyle, preventive steps reduce chances of cancer’

Karachi
Chances of developing various types of cancers often depend on the lifestyle choices of a person, but people could reduce these chances by reducing all risks through lifestyle modification, healthy diet and taking preventive measures.
These observations were made by experts at the 18th National Health Sciences Research Symposium at the Aga Khan University on Wednesday.
Focusing on cancer and promoting comprehensive care, the first day of the two-day symposium saw international and national cancer experts addressing ways to improve the situation in Pakistan and be part of the global fight against this epidemic.
They underlined the need for a united effort from medical professionals, health workers, academia, the government and civil society to prioritise cancer-related issues, raise awareness among the public and build capacity to support action on this disease – in other words, to turn knowledge into action.
Discussing preventive measures, Dr Malcolm Moore, head of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Asia Regional Office, Korea, underlined the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle and diet.
Comparing cancer statistics across South Asia, he pointed out that lung cancer in Pakistan may be on the rise due to smoking, nutritional and hormonal factors. In Karachi, the ratio of lung cancer in men and women is 4.8:1 and 2.6:1 respectively. Breast cancer was also found to be highly prevalent in Pakistan, he added.
In the developed world, cancer registries offer an unbiased profile of the disease and provide the reliable population-based information needed to develop country cancer control plans.
Uzma Rizwan, director, Cancer Data Center and Accreditation - CarePoint Health, USA, explained the types of cancer registries available and how they could serve as a model for Pakistan. “Data collection is important, but to use the data is far more important,” she added.
Approximately one in every 8-10 women in Pakistan suffers from breast cancer, pointed out Dr Abida Sattar, assistant professor, Department of Surgery, AKU. She said signs such as a breast or armpit lump, breast retraction or skin changes should not be ignored.
Dr Sattar suggested that women over 35 years should have a ‘baseline’ mammogram followed by a routine mammogram every year. Early detection can make a lot of difference, she insisted.
“Cancer of the mouth, throat, lungs and food pipe is 10 times more prevalent than all other cancers,” said Dr Javaid A Khan, professor, Department of Medicine, AKU.
Tobacco is the cause of almost 40 percent of cancer in men, and he blamed the non-implementation of anti-smoking and anti-tobacco laws in public places for this high rate.
Dr Zehra Fadoo, associate professor, Department of Oncology, AKU, highlighted the fact that there were about 8,000 children under 18 in Pakistan suffering from cancer.
Putting the onus on the limited number of paediatric oncology centres, she added: “Lack of access to good quality medical advice, early diagnosis, timely treatment and care and essential medications are really the reasons why children with cancer in developing countries often do not survive.”
But nursing care is equally important and Rehana Elahi from the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, appreciated the pivotal role that nurses play in cancer patients’ interaction with the hospital.
Their intervention and surveillance of patients as well as coordination of data record is valuable input in helping patients deal with cancer. “Nurses’ involvement in survivorship helps patients live their life better,” she observed.
The symposium was inaugurated by Dr Farhat Abbas, dean, Medical College, AKU, after the welcome note by Dr Salman Adil, Chair, Organising Committee, NHSRS.
Other speakers at the symposium included Dr Asim F Belgaumi, Dr Faisal Dar, Dr Manzoor Hasan Zaidi, Dr Naureen Mushtaq, Dr Najeeb Naimatullah, Dr Adnan Jabbar, Dr Ikram Burney from Sultanate of Oman, Dr Muzaffar H. Qazilbash from USA, Dr Farrok Karsan, Dr Shaista Khan, Dr Tahir Shamsi, Dr Humayon Bashir and Dr Shahryar Noordin.
In order to spread awareness about cancer, a public awareness session was also conducted a day prior to the symposium.