More than 5,500 women in Sri Lanka were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, accounting for 28 per cent of all cancers among females, according to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
Speaking ahead of World Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Dr. Shrini Alahapperuma, Director of the NCCP, said a total of 19,457 female cancer patients were recorded across the country in 2022, with breast cancer being the most common form.
“More than talking about how breast cancer could be prevented, we want to focus on how early diagnosis and treatment can save lives,” Dr. Alahapperuma told journalists at a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau.
However, she noted that more than 30 per cent of breast cancer cases had been detected only at advanced stages, severely limiting the chances of successful treatment.
“There is no possibility of effective care unless the disease is detected early. Breast cancer must be diagnosed early, treated promptly, and the full course of treatment followed — only then can we preserve quality of life and increase survival rates,” she said.
Dr. Alahapperuma also warned against the dangers of patients discontinuing treatment prematurely, stressing that this significantly reduces the likelihood of recovery.
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