Aida Hillis a doctor at the Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Saturday that nearly one-third of cancer cases can be avoided due to the development of medicine and the techniques of treatment and diagnosis.
During a seminar organized by Basmat Amal association for cancer care in cooperation with the Ministry of Health in Gaza on the World Cancer Day Hillis pointed out that the patient can follow a healthy diet that leads to the early detection of cancer and thus providing a big chance of recovery.
She clarified that there are about 100 types of cancer which can infect any part of the human body noting that colon and lung cancer are the most prevalent among men while breast cancer is the most common among women.
Hillis affirmed that the Palestinian Ministry of Health is exerting massive efforts despite the difficulties it faces to keep up with the global medical advances as much as possible to deal with and treat cancer. She called for boosting endeavors to combat cancer and spread awareness about one of the most prominent causes of death in the world.
Khaled Lafi director of Basmat Amal association said that it is incumbent on everyone to exert efforts to put an end to the tragedies that cancer causes.
Lafi pointed out that his association works to find ways to mitigate the suffering of cancer patients in the Gaza Strip and contribute to their treatment “amid the difficult conditions caused by the blockade and Israel’s deprivation of cancer patients of travelling abroad for treatment.”
He noted that some types of cancer can be prevented and other types can be cured if diagnosed and treated early adding that his association is using its full potential to help treat cancer patients through its varied awareness programs.
The number of cancer patients who benefit from the services provided by Basmat Amal association reached lately 2500 and it is still increasing according to Lafi.
Basmat Amal director called on all national and concerned institutions to cooperate and make constructive efforts to serve this vulnerable segment of society that needs support and assistance.
A number of studies asserted that the number of cancer patients in the Gaza Strip is on the rise. The studies pointed to the increased number of deaths caused by cancer due to the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip preventing entry of medications and devices needed for cancer treatment other than the travel deprivation on most cancer patients to receive the necessary treatment abroad.
