LAHORE: The data collected and compiled by the Punjab Cancer Registry (PCR) at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) shows breast cancer is emerging as the most prevalent cancer in women in Pakistan.

According to the PRC, the total number of new cancer cases reported from 2017 to 2022 were 185,748, while the related deaths stood at 118,631 in Pakistan. It shows that five leading and frequent cancers diagnosed among the males are of lip oral cavity, lungs, colorectal, prostate and oesophagus, while in women those of breast, lip oral cavity, ovary, cervix uteri and Oesophagus.

The experts say the data collection has been very useful in assessing the effectiveness of future intervention strategies. Particularly, they say, the cancer data helps to measure the success of efforts to control and manage cancer since it is becoming the leading cause of death in the developed world as life expectancy has increased and morbidity and mortality due to heart diseases has markedly reduced.

However, presently, the major burden of cancer is seen in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, medical experts say.

185,748 new cases reported from 2017 to 2022 in Pakistan

They contradicted the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s claim of setting up country’s “first cancer registry”, saying it is based on misleading information or briefing by her health team.

A spokesperson for the SKMCH&RC says that the PCR has been functioning for the last 19 years, being the oldest population-based cancer registry in the province.

He says the purpose of establishing the registry was to monitor the distribution of various types of cancer and determine the population-level cancer statistics in the region. At present, PCR covers 26 districts of Punjab.

“The Punjab Cancer Registry was set up in Feb 2005 to determine the population-level cancer statistics in the region”, the spokesperson says.

Sponsored by the Punjab Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, the PCR was registered under the Societies Act of Pakistan, 1860, and its registration is renewed every year.

The registry is also a member of the International Association of Cancer Registries, Lyon, France, the spokesperson says, adding that initially, attempts were made to collect information about cancer patients from all over the province.

However, he says, the PCR started collecting data on cancers diagnosed and treated among the residents of Lahore district in 2008.

In 2014, the registry was expanded to four other districts -- Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib. In 2016, it included Sialkot and Narowal districts, he says, adding that in 2018, Okara, Gujrat, Jhelum, Rawalpindi/Islamabad districts were also included.

Subsequently, Multan, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, and Chiniot were added, with plans to include other districts in the due course of time.

At present, the PCR has around 47 members in over 27 participating institutions, the spokesperson concluded.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024