SURIN, 4 August 2012– Ms. Kanyarat Kiatsupa, public relations officer for the province of Surin, says Thailand has the highest number of duct cancer patients in the world.
Ms. Kanyarat cited a report by by the Office of Disease Prevention and Control in Nakhon Ratchasima as saying that consumption of foods native to the northeastern region such as fermented fish, fermented sausages, and raw seafood salads can cause bile duct cancer, as these foods are often eaten slightly undercooked or even raw. Each year, about six million northeastern people are diagnosed with bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, the highest number in the world.
The early symptoms of the cancer are loss of appetite, bloated stomach, constipation, fatigue, loss of weight, low-grade fever, pain on the right side, yellowing of the body and the eyes, distending of the stomach, and swelling of both legs. If left untreated over a long period of time, the symptoms may develop into liver cancer, and finally become fatal.
Ms. Kanyarat warned that food should be consumed only when cooked thoroughly to avoid the parasites that can cause cancer to occur. If any symptoms are detected, citizens are urged to seek medical attention.
