Health authorities and medical professionals have reported a significant increase in cancer cases in Balochistan, with more than 12,000 new patients recorded across the region so far this year.
According to hospital data, outpatient registrations at the Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (CENAR) in Quetta have exceeded 22,000, placing considerable strain on the facility’s limited resources and capacity.
Medical experts say that cases of various types of cancer, including breast cancer, are increasingly being diagnosed among younger patients, which they describe as a concerning trend. They attribute the rise in cases to a range of factors, including lifestyle-related issues, industrial waste, tobacco use, environmental pollution and delays in early diagnosis.
Patients receiving treatment at CENAR and their family members have called on the government to establish a new, well-equipped cancer hospital in Quetta to help meet the growing demand for care and to improve access to timely treatment.
Health specialists have warned that without improvements in early detection, access to quality treatment, public awareness initiatives and the promotion of healthier lifestyles, controlling the rising number of cancer cases in Balochistan will become increasingly difficult.