Over 19000 new cancer cases diagnosed each year-Ministry of Health

As Malawi has joined the world in commemoration cancer day Ministry of health says more than 19000 new cases are diagnosed each year

In a statement the ministry through secretary for health Dr Charles Mwansambo says the survival time is 9 months from diagnosis

Mwansambo therefore calls for new commitment towards the fight against cancer

He says this year’s world cancer day theme “close the care gap” is well aligned to the ministry’s agenda of integration of health services at all levels of service delivery

Apart from genetic predisposition, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, air pollution are some of the risk factors of cancer

In order to mitigate the burden of cancer ministry of health has intensified preventive measures through introduction of routine vaccination programmes against Human Papilloma Virus, scaling up screening, male medial circumcision and improved access to antiretroviral therapy.