Kathmandu, October 16

The number of patients suffering from breast cancer is on the rise. Every year, hundreds of women lose their lives because of breast cancer mainly due to lack of early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Speaking at a workshop organised by Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Centre to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month, Dr Sudip Shrestha, executive director at the hospital, said the number of people reporting to hospital for treatment had increased in the recent years due to increasing awareness regarding breast cancer.

“Our hospitals are able to provide complete treatment of breast cancer. Now patients do not have to travel to neighbouring country for treatment,” said Shrestha, adding, “Cancer can be completely cured if diagnosed at the early stage”.

He further said that women in the city receive early treatment since they are aware of the disease but women from rural areas still lack awareness and thus they come for treatment during the 3rd or 4th stage of cancer which sometimes leads to death.

Similarly, Dr Kapendra Amatya said “Cancer treatment in the country 80 per cent success rate but due to late diagnosis and untimely treatment many cancer patients have to face the ill fate.” He also said that women ageing between 35 to 50 are more prone to breast cancer.