Officials from the Ministry of Public Health have announced on the occasion of World Cancer Day that the number of cancer patients in Afghanistan has increased.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, the spokesperson for the ministry, stated that 6,000 new cases of cancer were recorded in the past year. He added: “In addition to new cases, 42,000 existing cancer patients also visited treatment centers in Kabul last year.”
The Ministry of Public Health reports an increase in cancer cases, while many cancer patients—especially in remote areas of Afghanistan—complain about a lack of awareness and insufficient healthcare services.
Sanbal, a resident of Parwan province, said that she only realized she had breast cancer after several months: “I had a lump under my armpit. I went to a doctor, and he said surgery would help me, but I didn’t have the money. Last year, my condition worsened, and the disease spread to my breasts.”
Sharifa, a resident of Kapisa suffering from cancer, stated that due to the lack of treatment facilities in Afghanistan, she has no choice but to seek medical care abroad. She added: “A lump appeared under my armpit. I went to a doctor, and he told me I had breast cancer and needed to go to Pakistan. We barely have money for food—how can we afford to go to Pakistan?”
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Public Health announced that a 200-bed specialized cancer hospital will be built in Kabul this year, along with treatment centers in five regions of Afghanistan. The ministry’s spokesperson added: “Alongside treatment services, we are also launching awareness programs about cancer to help reduce its prevalence.”
Cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases globally, claiming thousands of lives every year. The main causes of cancer include smoking, obesity, air pollution, and an unhealthy diet.
February 4th has been designated as World Cancer Day to raise awareness about the disease and encourage preventive measures.
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