Sri Lanka continues to record a high daily burden of cancer, with approximately 100 new patients diagnosed each day and nearly 40 deaths reported daily, according to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
Community Medicine Specialist Dr Hasarali Fernando revealed these figures citing data from the National Cancer Registry 2022, while addressing a media briefing held in view of World Cancer Day on February 4.
She stated that a total of 35,855 new cancer cases were identified in 2022, while 14,986 deaths linked to cancer were recorded in 2021. Of those newly diagnosed, around 19,500 were women and about 16,400 were men.
Registry data shows that oral cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Sri Lanka. Among women, breast cancer is the leading cancer type, followed by thyroid and colorectal cancers.
Dr Fernando also noted that the World Health Organization estimates that between 30% and 50% of cancers can be prevented. She explained that factors such as ageing, gender, family medical history and genetic predisposition significantly increase cancer risk. Sri Lanka’s ageing population, she added, is contributing to rising cancer incidence due to increased genetic mutations, weakened immunity and prolonged exposure to cancer-causing agents.
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