Senate discusses the high prevalence of oral cancer in Karachi

By Our Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD- Saira Afzal Tarar - Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, recently stated at the Senate that; Treatment of cancer is available in all major hospitals. The highest number of oral cancer cases are reported in Karachi. According to media reports, she informed that; Cancer is common in Pakistan and the diagnosis and treatment of Cancer is very complex, so it needs special facilities. Some of the cancers are diagnosed using radioisotopes; therefore only atomic energy centers can diagnose them, while some are treated by radiotherapy therefore they are treated at radiotherapy centers, she said. Other cancers are diagnosed by ultrasound, CT scans or histopathology and are treated medically by drugs or surgery at public sector hospitals, she informed. The Minister said; realizing the need for having a radioisotope centre, attached to either tertiary care hospital or in close vicinity to the hospital, the government has allowed the Pakistan atomic energy commission to establish its radioisotope centers in the tertiary care public sector hospitals or close to them. Currently there are 20 atomic energy centers attached to tertiary care public sector hospitals, where they are diagnosing and treating cancer patients, she said. The centers include BINO Cancer Hospital, Bahawalpur, INOR Cancer Hospital, Abbotabad, LINAR Cancer Hospital, Larkana, NORI Cancer Hospital, Islamabad, CENUM Cancer Hospital, Lahore, INMOL Cancer Hospital, Lahore, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, KIRAN Cancer Hospital, Karachi, AEMC Cancer Hospital, Karachi, IRNUM Cancer Hospital, Peshawar, SINOR Cancer Hospital, Saidu Sharif (SWAT) and MINAR Cancer Hospital, Multan. The minister said; breast and prostrate cancer cases are the most common cancers recorded in the country besides oral cancer. The government has given Rs.1 billion to planning commission for setting up a cancer hospital.