Damascus-Sana
At a time when there has been progress in the past decades in the field of cancer prevention and treatment and a decrease in the death rate, especially in high-income countries, the World Health Organization warns of the increase in cancer cases in the world during the next two decades by 60 percent.
On World Cancer Day, the organization announced the possibility of saving the lives of at least 7 million people over the next decade, based on universal health coverage in responding to the disease and mobilizing all the efforts of those involved.
Domestically, the Ministry of Health continues to provide free diagnostic and treatment services for cancer patients through hospitals and centers distributed in various governorates, including Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital in Damascus, which last year served more than 3,700 patients.
The head of the oncology department at the hospital, Dr. Nidal Khadr, stated to Lana that the hospital registered 1250 new cases during 2019 and provided diagnostic and treatment services for 6 thousand patients free of charge since its establishment in mid-2016, confirming the availability of medicines at rates up to 80 percent.
The services include the Department of Oncology, which established all kinds of modern and hormonal chemical and biological treatments according to the case, in addition to diagnostic services such as analyzes of all kinds and radiographic images, as well as consultations and surgeries according to Khader, who showed that radiotherapy is not available in the hospital where the patient is referred to Al-Biruni Hospital.
Khadr pointed out that the number of patients who visit the department daily ranges between 100 and 120 patients from various governorates receiving services through a specialized staff comprising 6 specialists, 7 resident doctors and 12 qualified nurses.
On the most common cancers among the cases that the hospital has reviewed, the department director explained that for males, lung cancer comes first, then colon, sarcoma, and prostate cancer. As for females, breast cancer has the highest percentage, then colon, sarcoma, and ovary.
Khidr attributed the increase in cancer cases globally to factors including pollution and increased life expectancy as well as the lack of early detection, indicating that prevention requires avoiding risk factors, including smoking and obesity, eating contaminated and saturated foods, and low fiber and inactivity.
The oncologist recommended exercising, especially walking and eating vegetables, fruits and high-fiber foods.
Khader pointed out that the ministry has implemented early detection programs for cervical and breast cancer, which helps to raise the rates of recovery and ensure better treatment results. Besides, doctors, through clinical practice, apply early detection investigations of colon and prostate cancer.
At the end of last year, Syria witnessed the opening of the first laboratory for the manufacture of anti-cancerous chemical drugs in Adra Industrial City in Damascus countryside, with full local expertise.