Kathmandu, September 24:

Lack of referral facilities to the cancer hospitals by major hospitals of the country has resulted in cancer patients going to India and abroad. This, while hospitals in the country can well provide quality service. Mahendra Bahadur Karki, president of the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH) said major hospitals should refer patients to Bhaktapur Cancer hospital or BPKMCH, and be unmindful of commercial concerns. “The majority of the cases have been referred to the Indian hospitals and to those in other countries even though the service provided by BPKMCH is par excellence,” said Karki during a press conference here. “The referral by major hospitals is nearly nil while some Indian hospitals refer patients to BPKMCH,”

said Karki. “Service charges are very reasonable there.”

A current estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that around 45,000 people are suffering from cancer in Nepal. In addition, each year 27,000 new cases are cropping sup. “BPKHMC is coping with around 90 per cent of surgical cases and 99 per cent of the radiotherapy, which is of international standards,” said Dr Bal Man Singh Karki, executive director at BPKMCH. Dr Karki said cancer can be cured if it is detected timely and that it can be prevented as well. “Around 90 per cent of cancers are caused by exogenous factors such as tobacco, alcohol, dietary factors, salt, smoked and nitrated foods. High-fat diets cause an increased risk of breast cancer, and so do the occupational exposures and virus,” said Dr

Karki. “At least 30 per cent of cancers can be prevented if tobacco consumption is controlled.”

According to WHO estimates, there will be 9.3 million new cases in the third world countries, with 6.3 million deaths by 2020. A total of 10 million new cases and 6 million deaths by cancer

have occurred in 2000 throughout the world. Cases of cancer in Nepal mostly comprise lung, bronchial, uterine cervix and breast.

Dr Karki said around 2000-5000 women would be screened for Human Papillona Virus shortly and if checked in time, around 15 per cent of the infectious cancer could be controlled. To generate awareness about cancer, the Health Ministry and BPKMCH are celebrating “First National Cancer Awareness day” on September 26 by organising rallies in Chitwan. The BPKMCH has 55,000 patients in the out-patient department and 3,000 in the in-patient, with 3 to 5 per cent mortality.