Since Samtse has the highest prevalence of head and neck cancer in the country, health ministry and Bhutan Cancer Society, a Civil Society Organisation conducted an awareness programme in Samtse, today.
The core focus of the awareness programme was advices on prevention of head and neck cancer by kicking certain habits that encourage the disease. The health officials also reminded the gathering that tobacco, alcohol, and betel nut are most common causes of the cancer. Head and neck cancer applies to mouth cancer, neck cancer, and throat cancer.
“It is very important to wash your mouth after eating and chewing betel nut. One must not also eat dry fish daily as there are chances of getting mouth cancer,” said the Gynecologist of the Thimphu National Referral Hospital, Dr. Ugyen Tshomo.
Some other medical doctors said people tend to believe that one’s death will happen based on past life’s deed or due to karma. And remain oblivious of the death caused by one’s eating habits.
“It will be good for yourselves if you could stop consuming alcohol and chewing doma. Some people make an excuse and give an example of those who have lived long without kicking these habits. People should not have such notion. They have to stop drinking alcohol or chewing betel nut to avoid getting head and neck cancer,” said the Dentist of the Samtse Hospital, Dr.Ashik.
Health officials and members of Bhutan Cancer Society also highlighted on being forthcoming for early detection to prevent cancer.
They also said over 40 head and neck cancer patients in the country are being sent abroad for treatment, annually. After the awareness programme, over hundred people flocked to the hospital for check-up. Samtse hospital detected about 20 pre-cancerous lesions cases since last year.
Over 1,800 various cancer cases have been registered in hospitals in the country since mid of 2013 and head and neck cancer is one among top three cancer in Bhutan.
