Experts warn against Thailand’s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats
Cancer’s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Institute’s figures from 2022 revealing over 140,000 fresh diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives.
While strides have been made, certain cancers persist as formidable adversaries, striking at the heart of the populace: liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical cancers stand firm against medical progress.
The culprits behind this epidemic’s ascent are multifaceted, entwining genetics, diet, toxins, stress, and environmental hazards. Of particular concern is the ominous dance between lung cancer and Thailand’s polluted skies, with PM2.5 fine dust looming as a potential accomplice in this deadly tango.
Sirintip Kudtiyakarn, Thai Cancer Society President, highlighted the plight of northern Thailand’s inhabitants breathing in tainted air. Yet, amidst the bleak prognosis, Thailand’s medical arsenal brims with promising innovations. Precision treatments and immunotherapies offer glimmers of hope, while sophisticated diagnostics like mammograms and CT scans strive to detect cancer’s stealthy advances.
However, the battle against cancer demands a united front. Collaborations burgeon between hospitals, government bodies, and international allies, birthing novel solutions to widen patient access to quality care. Still, hurdles loom large: treatment complexities, soaring costs, and strained healthcare facilities haunt the path to victory.
Krittavith Lertutsahakul, managing director of Principal Capital Plc, underscored the urgency for equitable healthcare.
“Cancer care must be accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality.”
Early detection emerges as a beacon of hope, slicing through the darkness of despair. Timely screenings, like mammograms, herald up to 30% liberation from breast cancer’s grasp, reported The Nation.
Oncologist Naiyarat Prasongsook urges a nationwide awakening, urging the government to illuminate the shadows shrouding cancer awareness.
“Boosting awareness empowers individuals to seek screening, ultimately bolstering their chances of survival.”
Access to care remains a poignant concern, particularly in remote provinces where the absence of specialist care casts a long shadow over patients’ fates.
In related news, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III of the United Kingdom has been diagnosed with a form of cancer. This statement comes after a recent hospital visit initially intended for benign prostate enlargement treatment, during which another concerning issue was discovered.
