The global cancer incidence is rapidly increasing. According to the estimates there were 19.3 million new cancer patients and 10 million deaths due to cancer worldwide in 2020. Urgent action must be taken to close the gaps in cancer care as well as raise awareness about the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the cancer burden. Every year, February 4 is declared as the “World Cancer Day” to save millions of preventable deaths by reducing the gaps in cancer care and awareness and education on the disease and convincing governments and individuals across the world to act towards one common goal.
Theme - 2022 was “Close the Care Gap, realising the problems”
Why is it important to Sri Lanka?
In the Sri Lankan context, cancer is the second leading cause of death (Registrar General Department). According to the National Cancer Registry 2019, there were 31,848 new cancer patients in Sri Lanka. About 90 new cancer patients are being diagnosed and about 40 deaths occur due to cancer daily in the country. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females and there were 4447 new breast cancer patients in 2019. There were 2173 males with newly diagnosed oral cancer in 2019 and it is the commonest cancer among males.
According to the theme 2022 “Close the Care Gap, realizing the problems”, our primary aim is to identify the cancer care gaps and act accordingly.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has planned to carry out several activities under the above theme.
A survey to identify the various gaps that may be encountered along the pathway of cancer care.
Several media related activities, in-service training programs and community awareness programs are being held.
How can you contribute to “close the care gap” in cancer?
* Adopt a healthy lifestyle
* Improve your knowledge and act upon cancer prevention
* Attend regular medical checkups at Well women clinics, Healthy lifestyle centres.
* Seek medical advice promptly for signs and symptoms
* Get the available services from health care institutions (Cancer early detection centers, Breast clinics, etc.)
* When you are diagnosed with a cancer;
* Do not panic. Cancers can be treated
* Strictly adhere to the medical advices
* Do not be scared of side effects of the treatment
* Do not give up treatment plan due to side effects and myths
* Adhere to the follow-up plan
* Do not go for unrecommended treatments
“There are multiple ways to overcome cancer. Play your role to close the care gap”.
- National Cancer Control Programme, Ministry of Health