In Karachi and across Sindh, govt hospitals offer almost no facilities for the treatment of breast cancer or other types of cancer. Patients have no access to any government-provided one-window cancer treatment services.
No government hospital has mammography facilities for early detection of breast cancer. Neither Karachi nor Sindh has any cancer registry or authentic data on cancer patients.
In Karachi, only Jinnah and Civil hospitals have cancer units, but facilities are very limited. Civil Hospital only provides chemotherapy, while Jinnah Hospital offers radiation therapy, where patients face long waiting times. In Sindh, breast cancer is the most common among women, while oral cancer tops the list among men.
Medical experts say Pakistan ranks highest in Asia for breast cancer, with the rate among women now reaching 40%. In rural areas, cancer cases are rising: oral cancer by 20% due to betel nut and gutka use, ovarian cancer by 14%, and intestinal cancer by 14%.
No radiation therapy units are available in Sindh’s public hospitals under the Health Department. Radiation units at Jinnah and KIRAN hospitals are operated under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Radiation therapy is available in only two to three private hospitals in Karachi, costing Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per session.
No district hospital in Karachi under the Health Department has oncology OPDs or cancer treatment facilities. Experts warn that cancer cases are spreading rapidly. Public cancer treatment options are nearly nonexistent, and the radiation therapy unit at Jinnah Hospital is under extreme pressure, forcing patients to wait several months for appointments. Doctors urge the public to adopt preventive measures against cancer.
Renowned oncologist and former head of Civil Hospital’s cancer department, Professor Dr. Noor Muhammad Soomro, revealed that over 100,000 new cancer cases are reported annually in Pakistan, with oral and throat cancers leading among men, and breast cancer among women.
According to his research, more than 20,000 new cancer cases emerge in Karachi each year. However, these numbers are not final, as no government cancer registry system exists.
Dr. Noor explained that cancer treatment is very expensive and cancer has four stages. If detected early, treatment is possible, but stage 4 cases are extremely difficult to treat.
He emphasized that given the rapid spread of cancer, government facilities are far from adequate. The Jinnah Hospital radiation therapy unit is overwhelmed, and patients are given appointments months in advance. He again appealed to the public to follow preventive measures to protect themselves from cancer.
Currently, Jinnah and Civil are the only public hospitals in Sindh providing cancer treatment facilities. The Health Department claims efforts are underway to expand these services.
