Statistics with the Health Ministry shows that Non-Infectious cancer such as head, neck, and rectal cancer are on the rise.
The rise, health officials said is due to intake of processed foods which are rich in protein and chemical.
Another contributing factor is dust pollution.
As of today, the Non-Infectious cancer prevalence in the country is 35 percent while in 2008, it was 26 percent.
Bhutan Cancer Report, 2015 highlighted that elderly people are prone to such cancer.
“Research has discovered that use of chemical in edible items across the globe has been associated with cancer cases. When BAFRA has banned certain edible items in the country, people must abide by it,” said the public health department’s Director, Dr. Pandup Tshering.
On the other hand, the health ministry has noted a decreasing trend in number of infectious cancer: stomach, cervical, and liver.
The prevalence of infectious cancer was 73 percent in 2008. Today, it is 64 percent.
Health officials attributed the decline to improved health facilities.
Pap smear for early detection of cancer in women and providing HPV vaccines were some of the initiatives which reduced the number.
Improved sanitation and people’s awareness on preventive measures were other factors.
The health ministry referred over 1,000 patients suffering from both infectious and non-infectious cancers abroad from 2007-14.
Over Nu 147 M has been spent on them.
