FAISALABAD, Nov 1: Cancer is on the rise in Faisalabad owing to environmental pollution, chemical effluent of dyeing and processing mills, adulterated food, use of tobacco etc.

This was stated by Dr Syed Ejaz Hussain Shah, head of the Department of Clinical Oncology of the Allied Hospital and the Punjab Medical College, here.

Speaking at a press conference, he said that a recent survey revealed that cancer was common in women, with 90 per cent patients suffering from breast cancer.

Seven per cent patients were found suffering from gall bladder cancer. “This form is common among the poor, whereas its treatment is very costly, a major setback in arresting the disease”.

He said that more than 30,000 cancer cases were reported in the Out-Patient Department of the Allied Hospital during the last five years. “The cancer department of the hospital has only one specialist, who has to examine patients in addition to delivering lectures to medical students and collecting donations for deserving patients,” he said.

He demanded creation of additional posts of professor and associate professor for the oncology department in view of the large number of patients, and for the benefit of the medical students.

He said local philanthropists should also donate generously for needy cancer patients who cannot afford the costly treatment.

Dr Ejaz dispelled the impression that cancer was untreatable.

Quoting a recent study of the World Health Organization, he said one third of cancer patients could be successfully treated in case of early diagnosis.

About preventive measures, he said that the media must educate and create awareness among the general public about the hazards of smoking and environment pollution.

He said that the oncology department would organize a two-day national conference on cancer here from Nov 3 in which oncologists from all over the Pakistan will present their papers. It was an international conference but foreign delegates had sent regrets owing to the recent international developments.

Dr Ejaz urged journalists to give full coverage to the conference with a view to educate people about the hazards of smoking and chewing tobacco, and other factors that could lead to cancer.

UNIDO: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will set up an Environmental Management Centre for the Faisalabad textile sector with a contribution of $2.37 million.

The project will be completed and run with the active participation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Processing Association (APTMPA).

This was stated in a meeting held here in the APTMPA office to discuss the future strategy about the project.

Addressing the officials, UNIDO country representative Dr Robert Gumen said the project would help not only checking industrial pollution but also reduction of industrial cost by cutting the waste factor.

He said the UNIDO had been running 15 similar projects in different parts of the world.

It was the first project in Pakistan’s industrial sector sanctioned by any international organization after lifting of sanctions, he added.

The official maintained an agreement of $42.78 million was signed between the UNIDO, economic affairs division secretary and additional secretary, ministry of environment, Islamabad, on Oct 8, 2001.

With the latest technology, he hoped the industrial sector in the country would achieve higher standards in quality production.

Earlier, APTMPA former president Shabbir Ahmad thanked the UNIDO for setting up the EMC in the district.

He said a water testing laboratory, being managed by the APTMPA, was already functional in the district.—APP