20 m cancer patients by 2020 - WHO
Jump to full article: Sunday Observer (lk), 2009-02-01
Author: Ananda Kannangara
Intro: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 12.5 per cent deaths worldwide are caused by cancer, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The WHO report also indicates that there were 10.1 million cancer patients in 2000 and among them 6.2 million deaths were reported. During the period 22.4 million lived with cancer. The report also states that there will be 20 million cancer patients in the world by 2020.
Cancer is a rapidly growing epidemic. It occurs when certain cells of the body grow and multiply at abnormal and uncontrollable rates. Cancer often forms as a tumour which is a mass of cancerous cells.
Cancer cells may also circulate through the blood. Cancerous cells may also spread to other parts of the body, which is known as metastasis.
In a recent interview with the Chairman, Education Committee of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society and retired Judge, Walter Ladduwahetty said there were different types of cancers and each should be treated differently.
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