COLOMBO – Sri Lanka is facing a sharp rise in cancer cases, with around 100 new diagnoses reported each day across the island, Deputy Health Minister Dr Hansaka Wijemuni said on Monday (9).
Speaking at the opening of a new Early Cancer Detection Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, Wijemuni warned that many patients continue to seek medical attention only after symptoms have progressed to advanced stages, contributing to a high daily death toll.
He said cancer claims about 40 lives a day in Sri Lanka, adding that late presentation remains the biggest challenge for health authorities.
“The number of reported cases is rising daily,” Wijemuni said, explaining, “Our objective is to reverse this trend through accessible and timely screening”.
The newly opened centre, located on the ground floor of the hospital’s Outpatient Department, forms part of a broader national effort to strengthen early diagnosis. Six such facilities are currently in operation nationwide, and the Health Ministry plans to establish dedicated early detection units in every district.
Data from the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) show a particularly worrying pattern in women’s health. On average, 15 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day, with three deaths recorded within the same 24-hour period.
To address this, the NCCP has updated its public screening guidelines, recommending monthly breast self-examinations for women aged 20 and above, clinical breast examinations every three years for those aged between 20 and 40, and annual screenings for women over 40.
Health officials stressed that early detection remains the most effective way to reduce cancer-related mortality. By expanding screening services at the district level, the ministry aims to identify malignancies earlier and significantly improve survival rates.
Wijemuni urged the public not to ignore persistent symptoms and to make use of free screening services available through the state healthcare system.
-ENCL
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