Breast cancer spreading at alarming rate

Kathmandu, November 2

Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with breast cancer being the second most prevalent after lung cancer in Nepal.

“Due to lack of information, awareness, poverty and illiteracy among women especially in the rural regions, breast cancer has been increasing every year,” said Dr Kapendra Shekhar Amatya, Surgery Oncology at Nepal Cancer Hospital, Hattiban Lalitpur.

“Women in the urban areas are more educated and have greater access to health facilities as well.”

As per Dr Amatya, female patients have reportedly increased in hospitals annually; data showing that more than 1,200 patients were treated in some of the major hospitals of Nepal such as BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, TU teaching Hospital and Nepal Cancer hospital and Research Centre.

“Due to increased awareness among the female population in the city, they receive timely treatment during the crucial 2nd/3rd stage of breast cancer.”

According to the report by World Health Organisation, Cancer Country Profile 2014, each year, a total of 186,000 people, including 6,900 males and 7,400 females, died of cancer. Among 7,400 females, 11.6 per cent died of breast cancer and seven per cent from ovary cancer.