The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said today that 1,600 people are registered for cancer treatment at two government hospitals.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said today that 1,600 people are registered for cancer treatment at two government hospitals.
The agency's Public Health Coordinator Abdullah Muaz Adam said they have been collecting information about people receiving cancer treatment at IGMH and Hulhumale Hospital since 2019.
While there were 1,400 people in the registry as of last September, that number has increased to 1,617 so far this year. In the last five months, approximately 217 people have been added to the registry.
The number will increase as the agency continues to update the registry.
Muaz said the cancer registry includes deceased individuals. However, he said changes will be made to separately show the number of deceased people when the work is completed.
Lung cancer is most common among men in the registry. Breast cancer is the most reported among women.
As lung cancer rates increase among men, a 2021 study by MNU with WHO assistance found that one in four people use tobacco. Among them, the earliest age of starting tobacco use was 8 years old. The study included 3,104 people aged 15-39 years.
In a previous statement, HPA cited the World Health Organization, saying that 17 percent of deaths in the Maldives are due to cancer.
Risk factors for cancer:
- Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke
- Poor dietary habits
- Chewing arecanuts
- Lack of adequate physical exercise
- Being overweight
The Cancer Society said in a statement that this year's World Cancer Day campaign for the next three years is based on the slogan "United by Unique."
With over 200 types of cancer, each requiring different treatment, they stated that healthcare should be organized based on individual and community needs rather than focusing solely on cancer, to properly address these differences.
They also emphasized the need to include cancer survivors in policy-making, establish telemedicine services for personalized healthcare delivery, and ensure access to medical care and other support when patients need it most.
"This approach will result in improved patient health, higher quality healthcare services, increased patient trust in healthcare providers, greater satisfaction among patients and families, reduced healthcare disparities, and a strengthened healthcare system," the statement said.
According to the Society, the first year's campaign goal is to identify barriers and challenges in the healthcare delivery system and determine the best approach for patient-focused medical care.
The Cancer Society, established 13 years ago, also runs a support group specifically for cancer patients and caregivers. Over 260 people are registered in the group. Today marks nine years since the group's formation.
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