Thousands of new cancer cases diagnosed each year could be avoided by changing the modifiable risk factors or promoting healthy lifestyles, Health Secretary Dr Palitha Mahipala said.
Dr Mahipala made this observation participating as the Chief Guest at the Inauguration of 21st Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists held recently at Hotel.
Dr Mahipala further said that a large proportion of cancer cases and deaths that were attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, including sleep, smoking, second hand smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and infection with viruses known to cause cancer, like HPV.
Dr. Mahipala further said that cancer remains one of the global health challenges. Like many other countries Sri Lanka is also facing an increasing burden of cancer, with over 33,000 new cancer cases reported last year and 19,000 deaths.
