Mouth Cancer Cases Rising Rapidly in Karachi and Across Sindh

Mouth cancer cases are rising rapidly in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, with health experts warning that the disease is spreading fast, especially among young people.

Doctors say the widespread use of gutka, mawa, pan, supari and tobacco products is the main reason behind the alarming increase. They also say Sindh has the highest mouth cancer rate in Pakistan.

The highest number of cases has been reported from Karachi’s South district as well as other coastal and suburban areas.

Over the past five years, mouth cancer cases in Sindh have increased by around 25 percent, leading to a rise in deaths among younger patients.

Health experts say the absence of comprehensive cancer treatment facilities has created serious challenges for patients.

While radiation therapy is available at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission centres in Karachi, doctors say the existing facilities are not enough to meet the growing demand.

According to the Karachi Cancer Registry, Sindh recorded 65,886 mouth cancer cases between 2017 and 2021. The Dow Cancer Registry reported 22,858 cases of mouth and lip cancer between 2010 and 2019.

Former head of the cancer department at Civil Hospital, Professor Dr Noor Muhammad Somroo, said the use of gutka, mawa, supari and pan is driving mouth cancer cases among young people in Sindh.

He stressed the need for a dedicated cancer hospital in the province to provide complete treatment under one roof.