Chulabhorn Hospital has kick-started the ‘Stand up to Cancer Together’ campaign, themed ‘Close the Care Gap’, to enhance access to cancer care and raise awareness.
During the opening ceremony of the event, Chulabhorn Hospital Director Dr Surasak Leelaudomlipi highlighted the importance of early detection and collaborative efforts in reducing cancer incidence in Thailand.
National Cancer Institute Deputy Director Supakorn Pitakkarnkul, meanwhile, noted a decrease in certain cancer cases thanks to technological advancements and government-supported free screenings for cervical, breast, and colon cancers.
Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death, with projections suggesting up to 20 million new cases and 13 million deaths annually by 2030 if no effective measures are taken. World Cancer Day on February 4 promotes awareness, prevention, detection, and treatment.
Thailand reports about 140,000 new cancer cases yearly, with increasing vulnerability among the youth due to lifestyle factors. The country’s top cancers are liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical. Various initiatives, including the 30-baht-plus policy and the Cancer Warrior project, aim to make cancer treatment affordable and accessible, with innovations like home chemotherapy and HPV DNA self-sampling further facilitating care. (NNT)
