A group of cells that float on the surface of a background, cancer fighting 3d digital illustration, medical themes Photo: 123RF
Papua New Guinea faces a significant cancer burden, with World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating about 9000 deaths and up to 15,000 new cases each year.
The Post Courier newspaper reports the National Capital Health Authority secretary Ken Wai announced these figures to mark World Cancer Day.
He said there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the numbers.
Wai said tobacco use is very high, with 50 percent of adults and 21 percent of children, and 90 percent of the population exposed to second hand smoke.
He also cited the high rates of alcohol consumption (around 80 percent), betel nut chewing (73 percent), and a low consumption of fruits and vegetables, with over 65 percent of the population not eating the recommended five servings daily.
Wai also said stress is a contributing factor.
He says the Department of Health has developed policies to control tobacco and alcohol sales and is currently working on policies to regulate unhealthy food, such as lamb flaps and sugary foods.
Early detection
Early detection and screening are crucial in the fight against cancer, according to WHO's Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthier Populations programme's Dr Priscilla Nach.
The Post Courier reports Dr Nach saying, "what is important for cancer is we have to start with early detection and screening."
"It is very important, so it is a very big public health agenda for WHO to help the Department of Health advocate for early detection and treatment."
She said there has been an alarming increase in cancer cases in the Western Pacific region, coupled with low survival rates.
Dr Nach added with 70 to 80 percent of the population living in rural areas, many present to health services at very late stages of the disease, resulting in preventable deaths.
Herbal treatments discouraged
Port Moresby General Hospital's lead oncologist Dr Peter Olali has discouraged Papua New Guineans from using traditional herbs to treat cancer.
Dr Olali said that in his 20 years of experience working with cancer patients, he has not seen evidence of herbal medicine successfully treating the disease, as reported by the Post-Courier.
He said he has seen patients die after refusing cancer treatments in favour of herbal remedies from their villages.
Dr Olali said the resulting delays in proper treatment allowed the cancer to spread, ultimately leading to their deaths.
