Kathmandu, November 16

Doctors have said that more people are dying of cancer in the country not due of lack of treatment but due to lack of awareness.

“Due to lack of awareness, most of the cancer patients visit hospitals when the disease is at its advanced stage,” said Dr Prakash Raj Neupane, former medical director at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.  “The number of cancer patients in the country is increasing day by day. It is very important to spread awareness of cancer in the country to save lives,” he said.

Cancer can be treated if diagnosed in the early stage. If people are made aware of cancer, it can reduce the risk of cancer deaths. He also said that many people could not afford cancer treatment.

Bimal Kumar Hoda, general secretary of Nepal Cancer Relief Society, shared that the financial support provided by the government to cancer patients was not enough. He also urged the government to make the process of getting financial aid for the treatment of life-threatening diseases hassle-free for people.

Speaking at the programme, lawmaker Mahesh Basnet said sedentary lifestyle of people had contributed to increasing cases of cancer. “People must follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of many non-communicable diseases,” he said.