Excessive chewing of betel nut, alcohol consumption and smoking increases the
chance of getting cancer, Dr Rose Andrew from the Department of Health said. Oral cancer is said to be one of the most dangerous forms of cancer affecting PNG with an average of three patients needing treatment at Port Moresby General Hospital oral health clinic each week. "Over the last two decades, the oral cancer rate was not high compared to today because during those times, only older people were vulnerable to mouth cancer, especially in the coastal areas, while today, research has shown that people between the ages of 25 and 40 are likely to develop oral cancer," she said. She said if a child starts chewing at the age of 10, he or she is definitely likely to develop mouth cancer when he or she reaches the age of 25. She said many of the patients who attend the clinic go at the late stages of detection. Dr Andrew was raising awareness of the threat of oral cancer to staff of InterOil at the Napanapa oil refinery outside Port Moresby yesterday. PNG Cancer Foundation chief executive officer Dadi Toka Jr and the foundation’s ambassador and wife of Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill, Linda Babao, joined InterOil staff for the ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ to raise funds to fight cancer in the country. The foundation also received the backing of InterOil with a donation of K10,000 to help spread awareness on cancer. Mr Toka said the funds raised will go towards better facilities, cancer research, early detection and the prevention of mouth cancer. Comments are closed.
|
Papua New Guinea Breaking NewsPapua New Guinea daily News updates Let Your Voice be heard: Submit your news articles, commentaries, letters , Photos, Media Releases etc to us on this email: pngfacts@gmail.com
Mining & PetroleumTop Links |