Connect with us

News

Over 33,000 new cancer cases reported last year, resulting in 19,000 deaths, says Health Secretary at SLCO Symposium

Published

on

Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala presiding at the inaugural session of the 21st Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists (SLCO) at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo

Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala says that by addressing modifiable risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyle patterns, thousands of cancer cases can be prevented each year.Speaking at the inaugural session of the 21st Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists (SLCO) at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, Dr. Mahipala said that over 33,000 new cancer cases had been reported last year, and 19,000 persons had died due to cancer.

Dr. Mahipala highlighted the prevalence of oral cancer among men and cervical cancer among women, warning that the global population of new cancer patients was expected to increase by 77% by 2050.

The Sri Lanka College of Oncologists is the leading professional institution dedicated to advancing oncology in the country. Its objectives include fostering collaboration among oncologists, updating knowledge, and improving clinical practices. This year’s symposium, themed “Expanding Horizons, Enhancing Lives,” will feature lectures and practical experiences from both international specialists and local experts alongside the latest research findings in oncology.

The conference series ends today (14).

Dr. Mahipala emphasised that cancer was a significant global health challenge, with around 20 million new diagnoses worldwide in 2022, leading to over 9.7 million deaths. In Sri Lanka, the rising burden of cancer was evident, with over 33,000 new cases and 19,000 deaths last year. Those statistics showed that age, gender, or background did not affect cancer incidence, he said.

Dr. Mahipala pointed out that cervical, breast, and stomach cancers were the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Sri Lanka, with oral cancer particularly prevalent among men (16.5 cases per 100,000 population in 1990) and cervical cancer affecting women at a rate of 27.3 cases per 100,000. The high incidence of those types of cancer highlights the urgent need for prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies, Dr. Mahipala said: “We have a responsibility as health service professionals to confront this challenge, especially as cancer incidence is expected to rise in low- and middle-income countries. A significant increase of 77% in new cancer patients is anticipated globally by 2050, with the most substantial growth in these regions.” He added that globally, 5% to 10% of all cancers were attributed to genetic mutations, while up to 95% were linked to environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and physical inactivity. “By addressing these modifiable risk factors and promoting healthy lifestyles, we can prevent thousands of cancer cases each year. Prevention is our most powerful tool in the fight against cancer, not only for its benefits but also for reducing the likelihood of preventable cancers that can lead to untimely deaths.”

During the event, Dr. Umagowry Saravanamuttu was inducted as the new President of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists. Also present were former President Dr. Mahendra Perera, Secretary Dr. Buddika Somawardhana, and numerous other members and specialists of the College.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Landslide RED warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya extended up to 1600 hrs today [07]

Published

on

By

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued  landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 06.12.2025 to 16:00 hrs on 07.12.2025.

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED  warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pathahewaheta, Panvila, Medadumbara, Doluwa, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Deltota, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Yatinuwara, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Minipe, Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Akurana, Poojapitiya and Harispattuwa in the Kandy district, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Deltota, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Yatinuwara, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Minipe, Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Akurana, Poojapitiya and Harispattuwa in the Kegalle district, Alawwa, Rideegama, Polgahawela, Mallawapitiya and Mawathagama inthe Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Yatawatta, Laggala Pallegama, Pallepola, Matale, Rattota, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Hanguranketha, Mathurata, Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Ella, Welimada, Haputhale, Lunugala, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale West, Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Kothmale East and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Godakawela, Kahawaththa and Kolonna  in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colonbo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla  in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala and Horana in the Kalutara district, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kuruwita, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla, Kaltota, Kalawana, Openayake, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Elapatha, Ratnapura and Kiriella in the Ratnapura district.

Continue Reading

Latest News

618 dead, 209 missing as at 2000hrs on Saturday [06]

Published

on

By

The Situation Report issued by the Disaster Management Center [DMC] at 2000hrs on Saturday [06] confirms that 607 persons have died due to the recent flooding and landslides while another 209 persons were missing.

The death toll in the Kandy district which one of the most affected districts has risen to 232, and 1800 houses have  been fully damaged.The number of missing persons reported is 81

100,124 persons belonging to 29,874 families were being housed at  990 safety centers established by the government.

Continue Reading

News

Opposition blames govt. inaction for severity of disaster impact

Published

on

The government’s failure to act on expert warnings, including advance forecasts on Cyclone Ditwah, had led to the worsening of disaster impact, Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, said at a press conference in Colombo yesterday.

Gammanpila accused the NPP government of ignoring 14 key preventive measures, despite alerts from the Meteorology Department, foreign experts, and the media.

Gammanpila said the government had failed to lower the water levels in reservoirs, dredge estuaries, and deploy the armed forces for canal maintenance. Local government bodies were reportedly sidelined, and that led to a delay in cleaning of drains. He said the government had also failed to evacuate people in a timely manner from seven districts identified by the National Building Research Organisation as landslide-prone. It had delayed declaring emergencies or curfews and the deployment of tri-forces to evacuate people in such areas.

Gammanpila said an experienced public official should have been appointed as Secretary to the President to mobilise the state machinery swiftly during the disaster. He said the government had not convened the National Disaster Council.

“These failures worsened the disaster, causing immense hardship, disruption, and loss of life and property to the people,” Gammanpila said.

The government has denied the Opposition’s claims.

Continue Reading

Trending