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World Cancer Day: A Global Fight Against a Relentless Disease

Another diagnosis, another family shattered, another life forever changed. Cancer, once a rare disease, has become one of the leading causes of death in the world, with a staggering global economic impact exceeding $1 trillion annually. Today, an estimated 1 in 5 people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Nearly everyone knows someone who has been directly affected. But how prevalent is it in our society, and what does history tell us about this relentless disease?

Cancer Through the Ages

The origins of cancer date back thousands of years. The oldest recorded description of the disease is found in the Edwin Smith Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text from around 3000 BC. It details cases of breast tumours and grimly notes, “There is no treatment.”

Hippocrates (460–370 BC), the father of medicine, was the first to name the disease, using the Greek terms carcinos and carcinoma—both meaning “crab”—to describe tumors with finger-like projections. Later, the Roman physician Celsus (25 BC–50 AD) translated the term into Latin as cancer. Another Greek physician, Galen (130–200 AD), introduced oncos (meaning swelling), a term now embedded in oncology.

The Rise of Scientific Oncology

Cancer research took a major leap forward in the 18th century when Giovanni Morgagni of Padua pioneered autopsies, linking illness with pathological findings. The Scottish surgeon John Hunter (1728–1793) proposed that some tumours could be surgically removed if they were “moveable” and had not invaded nearby tissues.

By the 19th century, the microscope revolutionized cancer studies. Rudolf Virchow, often called the father of cellular pathology, provided a scientific basis for diagnosing cancer. Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays in 1895 soon led to their use in cancer treatment, marking a breakthrough in medical imaging and radiation therapy.

The 20th Century: A Turning Point

The 20th century saw significant progress. Marie Curie and her husband Pierre isolated radium in 1902, paving the way for early radiation treatments. By 1906, radium needles were used against tumours, but soon, the dangers of radiation exposure became evident. Advances in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and early detection methods emerged alongside landmark discoveries such as DNA’s structure in 1953, which deepened our understanding of cancer’s genetic basis. The radical mastectomy, once the gold standard for breast cancer, gave way to more refined surgical approaches by the 1970s.

The Cancer Burden in Pakistan and Afghanistan

Despite its prevalence, cancer data in Pakistan remained undocumented for five decades post-independence. The first reported incidence study covered Karachi South (1995–1997), revealing 4,268 cases—2,160 in men and 2,108 in women. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s first cancer study dates back to 1969, conducted by American pathologist Leslie Sobin.

Afghanistan’s prolonged conflicts have severely weakened its healthcare infrastructure, leaving cancer patients with little to no access to proper treatment. Pakistan has become the primary destination for Afghan cancer patients, offering free-of-cost, state-of-the-art treatment at facilities like Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres (SKMCH&RC). A 2023 report from the U.S. National Library of Medicine reveals that since 1995, 6,370 Afghan patients have sought cancer care at SKMCH&RC, with 57% being male and 87% adults over 19. Nearly 56% arrived with advanced-stage disease (Stage III or IV). Despite these challenges, 34% of adult patients achieved a complete response to treatment, while outcomes for children were even better, with 43% showing full recovery.

Also See: Silence No More: Mental Health Matters in Afghanistan and Pakistan

A Lifeline Beyond Borders

For Afghan patients, the journey to treatment in Pakistan is often arduous—some travel over 2,000 km, enduring immense physical and financial strain. Yet, Pakistan has consistently opened its doors, ensuring that even those with limited resources receive world-class care. In a region where cancer treatment remains a privilege rather than a right, this solidarity stands as a testament to humanitarian commitment.

A Collective Fight

Cancer does not discriminate; it affects people across borders, backgrounds, and beliefs. But beyond the disease lies a greater truth—the resilience of those who battle it and the unwavering support of those who stand beside them.

This World Cancer Day, let’s move beyond statistics and see the human faces behind the disease. It will take all of us, united, to create a world where cancer care prioritizes people and communities over barriers and limitations.

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