By Kabeer Yousuf — MUSCAT: April 19 - The incidence of breast cancer among men in the Gulf region, especially Oman, is alarming compared with the rest of the world, says Dr Wahid al Kharousi, Chairperson of Oman Cancer Association (OCA). “It (breast cancer) can grow even further unless effective checks are in place,” he told the Observer. According to Dr Al Kharousi, for every 10 cases of breast cancer among women, there is one man with breast cancer in other parts of the world. But the ratio is more than one in the region, especially the Sultanate, he said.
Statistics from the National Oncology Centre and the Ministry of Health (MoH) show that cancer prevalence rate is high in Oman and there are 1,500 registered cancer cases, of which 1,300 are Omani patients and more than 200 non-Omanis. Of these 200, one-fourth are men and three-fourth women.
Besides, more than 100 new cases of cancer among children have been diagnosed every year in the country.
Statistics indicate breast cancer, colorectal, stomach, thyroid and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the five most prevalent forms of cancer among Omanis, while prostate cancer is very common among Omani men.
“Of late, cancer has become an extremely costly disease in terms of awareness, prevention, treatment and social integration,” he said.
Worldwide, the incidence of cancer is on the rise. As of 2004, there were 7.4 million deaths due to cancer, but by 2015, the number had shot up to eight million, thanks to the modern lifestyle. “Cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. It’s time to act and effectively prevent the spread of the disease,” said Dr Al Kharousi.
The mobile mammography unit of the OCA has helped many young women lead a better life by detecting the disease early.
“The mobile mammography unit, which is on its way from Salalah to Muscat with stopovers in all wilayats, has helped more than 1,500 young women detect malignant growth or tumour and lead better lives,” said Dr Al Kharousi.
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