Editorial | Catching them young
Summary
Cancer cases are rising among young people in Nepal, with low survival rates due to late diagnosis and lack of accessible treatment. Efforts to improve prevention and cancer care are underway but need better implementation.
Key Points
- Cancer prevalence among young people in Nepal is increasing, with more patients in their late 20s and early 30s.
- In fiscal year 2024-25, BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital recorded over 210,000 cancer patients, up from 138,000 in 2023-24.
- Nepal has low survival rates for childhood cancer, estimated between 20 to 30 percent.
- The government has initiated some policies like free cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination but faces challenges in implementation and infrastructure.
- Preventive measures such as reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption and promoting physical exercise are crucial to reducing cancer incidence.
