KATHMANDU, Jan 9 - Breast cancer among women is rising fast in Nepal and becoming more fatal as women go to hospital only when the cancer has progressed to the third stage. Dr Aarati Shah, cancer specialist at Bir Hospital says, "Though curable in the early stages many breast cancer patients come to the hospital at the third stage."
She said rural women, who lack awareness, come to the hospital very late. "They come only when they start experiencing pain," Shah added. Out of 1,440 cancer patients visiting Bir Hospital per year, 10 per cent have breast cancer.
Data at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital also shows a gradual rise in breast cancer patients. Between 1998 and 2000, there were only 58 cases at the hospital. The number increased from 59 in 2001 to 107 in 2004.
Data at the B. P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Dharan, shows a higher growth rate. In 2003, 165 patients visited the hospital. The figure was only 66 in 2000.
Dr Rajendra P. Baral, Medical Director of the hospital, said, "I think it has even topped cervical cancer, which until now was considered the most common cancer among Nepali women."
Dr Y P Singh, associate professor, Department of Surgery at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) informed that 50 to 60 patients visit TUTH every year. Ten years earlier, it was about 20.
Dr Baral said the risk of the disease is high among unmarried females and those who marry late, especially after 35. Females with a family history of cancer are also prone. Baral attributes 5 percent to hereditary factors.
Similarly, deliberate late child birth, smoking and alcohol consumption, obesity, early menarche and late menopause and avoiding breast feeding are other risk factors and indicators. "Many women hesitate to visit doctors for checks as a majority of doctors are male," Baral said.
"The best way of detecting the disease in the early stages is Breast Self Examination (BSE)," said Dr. Singh, adding, "If it is detected early it is not only curable but also harsh treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be avoided."
He said BSE is very important in the context of a country like Nepal as it helps to diagnose the disease without money being spent. "As the cancer is confined to the breast in the early stages, women will have more treatment choices and there is a good chance of complete recovery. -
eKantipur, Sangeeta Rijal
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