Papua New Guinea faces a significant cancer burden, with an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 new cases each year, according to Ken Wai, Deputy Secretary for the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority.
Wai revealed these figures at a World Cancer Day commemoration ceremony held at the Lawes Road Clinic, in the National Capital District.
Citing World Health Organisation International Agency for Cancer Research statistics, Wai noted that approximately 9,000 cancer-related deaths occur annually in PNG.
He emphasised the high risk of cancer in the country and outlined several preventable risk factors.
“Tobacco use in PNG is more than 50 percent in adults and 21 percent in children, so we must cut down on smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke is 90 percent,” he stated.
He also cited high rates of alcohol consumption (around 80 percent), betel nut chewing (73 percent), and a low consumption of fruits and vegetables, with over 65 percent of the population not eating the recommended five servings daily. Wai also mentioned stress as a contributing factor.
To combat cancer in PNG, Wai said the Department of Health has developed policies to control tobacco and alcohol sales and is currently working on policies to regulate unhealthy food, such as lamb flaps and sugary foods.
Wai stressed that Papua New Guineans are at high risk of developing cancer and advised individuals to abstain from unhealthy behaviours and be mindful of their dietary choices.
Lead Oncologist Dr Peter Olali, at the Port Moresby General Hospital, has discouraged Papua New Guineans from using traditional herbs to treat cancer.
Dr Olali stated that despite seeing social media posts claiming herbal cures, his 20 years of experience working with cancer patients have shown him no evidence of herbal medicine successfully treating the disease.
“I’ve worked almost 20 years with cancer, and in my office, I have never seen herbal medicine cure a cancer patient,” he said.
He explained that he has seen patients die after refusing cancer treatments in favour of herbal remedies from their villages.
The resulting delays in proper treatment allowed the cancer to spread, ultimately leading to their deaths.
“They can give you this [herbal treatment], but you must come to get cancer medicine,” Dr Olali advised.
He urged those diagnosed with cancer to seek immediate medical treatment and not delay.
Meanwhile, early detection and screening are crucial in the fight against cancer, according to Dr Priscilla Nach of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthier Populations programme.
“What is important for cancer is we have to start with early detection and screening. It is very important, so it is a very big public health agenda for WHO to help the Department of Health advocate for early detection and treatment,” Dr Nach said.
She highlighted the alarming increase in cancer cases in the Western Pacific region, coupled with low survival rates.
“In the Western Pacific, where PNG is located, an estimated 6.8 million new cases occurred in 2022, of which 3.6 million are men and 3.2 million are women. Each year, cumulatively, cancer claims the lives of nearly 3.5 million people in the Western Pacific region.”
Dr Nach explained that with 70 to 80 percent of the population residing in rural areas, many present to health services at very late stages of the disease, resulting in preventable deaths.
She emphasised the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in mitigating cancer risk factors.
“That means we have to have a healthy diet; the market is here for some who live very close to the market, always choose garden foods,” she advised.
“The other thing also is exercise, just walking around for at least 30 minutes to bring your heart rate up. That is significant to keep you healthy and fit.”
She also addressed alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, and tobacco use, mentioning plans for “addiction clinics” offering detoxification to help people reduce these habits.
Dr Nach reiterated WHO’s commitment to improving public health and ensuring quality, equitable healthcare for all citizens, emphasizing that cancer detection and screening are vital.