Welcome to Kishori Cancer Care Foundation
At Kishori Cancer Care Foundation, our mission is to provide a dedicated platform for women to address their health concerns, particularly those related to cancer, with dignity and confidence. Cancer remains a significant health challenge worldwide, and Nepal is no exception. Our goal is to foster early detection and management of cancer cases to improve outcomes and save lives.
Cancer Overview in Nepal
With a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal faces an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 new cancer cases each year. In 2014, the leading causes of cancer mortality among women in Nepal were cervical cancer (18.4%), breast cancer (11.6%), endometrial cancer (9.5%), and ovarian cancer (7%).
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the second most common cause of death from gynecologic cancer globally. According to WHO Globocan 2020, there were 313,959 new cases and 207,252 deaths worldwide. A woman's lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 75, with a 1 in 100 chance of dying from the disease. The incidence rate ranges from 4.4% to 10.7% and is increasing in Asian countries. Unfortunately, the prognosis remains poor as most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages.
Endometrial Cancer
According to GLOBOCAN 2020 statistics, there were 417,367 new cases and 97,370 deaths attributed to endometrial cancer globally. In Nepal, it is the third most common gynecologic malignancy, with 180 new cases and 93 deaths in 2020. The incidence rates are found to be generally higher in developed countries compared to developing countries.
Early detection is common due to symptoms like abnormal uterine and postmenopausal bleeding, leading to a high 5-year survival rate of 85-91%.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women in low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, the annual incidence is 2,244 new cases with 1,493 deaths. The incidence rate of cervical cancer is 16.4 per 100,000 women, far exceeding the WHO target of 4 per 100,000. However, cervical cancer is preventable through effective screening strategies.
The WHO’s “Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer” aims to achieve the following targets by 2030:
- Vaccination of 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15.
- Screening of 70% of women by ages 35 and 45.
- Treatment and management of 90% of women identified with cervical pre-invasive and invasive cancer.
Successful implementation of these targets could reduce cervical cancer mortality by 33.9% by 2030 and by almost 99% by 2120 among women aged 30 to 69.
Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Nepal
According to the 2018 Report of Population-Based Cancer Registries in several districts of Nepal, the highest cancer burden is found in Bhaktapur district for both males and females, while the lowest burden is in Dhanusha district for males and Saptari district for females. Cancer incidence is higher in urban areas and lower in semi-urban and rural areas compared to national estimates.
The figure 1 and 2 shows the leading cancer in females in Kathmandu district and in Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha and Mahottari district respectively.
Figure 1. Leading cancer sites in females, Kathmandu district.
Figure 2. Leading cancer sites in females in Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha and Mahottari district
Call to Action
At Kishori Cancer Care Foundation, we understand the social barriers that prevent many women from seeking timely medical care. Our foundation is a safe and supportive environment where women can address their health issues without fear or stigma. Early detection and management are crucial in combating cancer, and we are here to provide the necessary support and resources.
Ladies, it is time to unveil your shawls and confront health issues head-on. Let us work together to improve cancer outcomes and ensure a healthier future for all women in Nepal.
Contact Us
For more information, support, or to schedule a screening, please contact Kishori Cancer Care Foundation. Together, we can make a difference.
---
Kishori Cancer Care Foundation
Empowering Women, Saving Lives
www.kishoricancercare.org
Fusce urna augue, volutpat quis pharetra nec, fringilla a enim. Etiam dapibus accumsan libero vehicula vestibulum. Nunc justo augue, vehicula vel mauris id, blandit laoreet urna. Integer placerat euismod lorem vitae viverra. Sed cursus est justo, quis consequat est lacinia id. Praesent semper pulvinar sollicitudin.