Experts warn against Thailandโ€™s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats

Cancerโ€™s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Instituteโ€™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 epidemicโ€™s ascent are multifaceted, entwining genetics, diet, toxins, stress, and environmental hazards. Of particular concern is the ominous dance between lung cancer and Thailandโ€™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 Thailandโ€™s inhabitants breathing in tainted air. Yet, amidst the bleak prognosis, Thailandโ€™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 cancerโ€™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.

โ€œCancer care must be accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality.โ€

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 cancerโ€™s grasp, reported The Nation.

Oncologist Naiyarat Prasongsook urges a nationwide awakening, urging the government to illuminate the shadows shrouding cancer awareness.

โ€œBoosting awareness empowers individuals to seek screening, ultimately bolstering their chances of survival.โ€

Access to care remains a poignant concern, particularly in remote provinces where the absence of specialist care casts a long shadow over patientsโ€™ 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.

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Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.

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