Senaka Gamage, Community Health Practitioner of the Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Association, states that a survey has reported that 80 new cancer cases are reported in Sri Lanka every day.
He also reveals that cancer has become the second leading cause of death from non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, and medical experts have warned that cancer may overtake heart disease, which currently occupies the first place.
Dr. Gamage says that 20,000 new cancer patients were diagnosed last year, and by the end of this year, the number may increase significantly.
The Cancer Control Program has confirmed that oral cancer is predominant among men but among women, breast cancer is predominant.
Dr. Gamage emphasizes that frequent consumption of coloring and flavoring foods as well as genetically modified foods as well as mental stress are causes of cancer.