Breast cancer is 2nd killer for women

Published on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 17:55

Breast cancer is the second biggest killer among women in Myanmar with 30 per cent of them suffering from the disease, according to data from the Doctors and Cancer Foundation.

Cancer specialist Dr Shu Mon said uterine cancer is the top killer disease.

According to WHO data published in April 2011, breast cancer deaths in Myanmar reached 2,926 or 0.55 per cent of total deaths. The age-adjusted death rate is 13.47 per 100,000 of population and ranks 126th in the world.

"The main risk factor causing breast cancer is lifestyle. Drinking alcohol, lack of exercise and smoking may increase the risk of breast cancer," Dr Shu Mon said, adding that the rate of breast cancer is on the rise not only in Myanmar but in other countries as well.

Yangon General Hospital, Mandalay People's Hospital and Taunggyi Sao San Tun Hospital are offering free X-ray to cancer patients.

"There are about 1,200 cancer patients undergoing treatment at these hospitals," Dr Hla Myint Aung of U Hla Tun Foundation said.

As of February 2012, breast cancer patients around the world were around 1.4 million, with about 500,000 deaths, according to WHO.