Screening Three Cancers in the Country at the Suggestion of the World Health Organization

Head of the Cancer Department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education stated that Breast, Cervical and Colorectal cancers are being screened in four cities of the country at the suggestion of the World Health Organization.

 According to WEBDA, on the sidelines of the International Cancer Congress in Mashhad on Thursday, Dr. Ali Motlaq added that the cancer screening program began at the end of last year and will continue till the end of this year in four cities, Baft, Rezashahr, Naqde, and Maraqeh in Kerman, Isfahan, Eastern Azerbaijan, and Western Azerbaijan Provinces respectively.

He stated that after the pilot screening of the three mentioned cancers in those cities, this cancer screening will gradually be carried out all over the country.

He added that the target population for this program is 50-70 year-olds for colorectal cancer and 30-70 year-olds for breast and cervical cancers. This population is examined using clinical examinations and laboratory tests.

According to him, screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers are being performed in the country in cancers with early diagnosis possibilities at the suggestion of the World Health Organization.

Head of the Cancer Department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education stated that following these screenings, the identified patients suffering from cancer are sent to level two and three centers for special treatment.

Stating that 90 thousand new cases of cancer sufferers are reported annually in our country, Dr. Motlaq added that the incidence of cancer is increasing in Iran and the entire world, and the most important reason of cancer incidence in Iran is increased life expectancy and the aging population.

He added that the Ministry of Health has been implementing a variety of programs for controlling and fighting cancer in 3 levels of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

According to him, raising public awareness about cancer through organizing national and regional campaigns, controlling risk factors in the incidence of different cancers through increased sales taxes on cigarette, and controlling air pollution are among the measures implemented for preventing cancer in our country.

According to him, controlling the risk factors of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and physical inactivity that contribute to cancer incidence as well as keeping track of supportive programs and also reducing the cost of medications and treatment in patients suffering from cancer are among the items that follow.

Dr. Motlaq pointed out that a document has been drafted in the Ministry of Health in which the duties of different organizations for preventing all types of cancer have specified.

Stating that 5 percent of cancers are treatable, Head of the Cancer Department of the Ministry of Health added that the lifespan of cancer sufferers is dependent on the way the three major methods of treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are performed.

According to him, the role of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in this regard is 50, 40, and 10 percent respectively.

He pointed out that currently we do not have any problems regarding surgery and chemotherapy in our country and problems and shortages are related to the area of radiotherapy.

He stated that there are currently 75 radiotherapy devices in the country and 10 more radiotherapy devices are being provided.

According to him, based on overall indicators, there must be a radiotherapy device for 500 cancer sufferers.

The First International Cancer Congress of Razavi Hospital of Mashhad is being held from May 18^th to May 20^th, 2016.