Sharp Rise in Cancer Cases Across Balochistan — 450 New Patients Reported in Just Three Months, Experts Sound Alarm

**Quetta (Daily Qudrat)** — A concerning surge in **cancer cases** has been reported across **Balochistan**, including the provincial capital **Quetta**, with **450 new patients** diagnosed in the past three months alone. The reported cases include **liver, blood, lung, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers**, raising serious alarm among medical experts and health authorities.

Leading oncologist **Dr. Feroz Achakzai** expressed grave concern, noting that **one in every nine women in Pakistan** is affected by **breast cancer**. However, he emphasized that **timely diagnosis can lead to a 95% recovery rate**. Dr. Achakzai added that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, while **annual mammography** is essential for women over 40. He identified **unbalanced diets, junk food, high fat intake, stress, depression, and delayed marriage or childbirth** as key risk factors contributing to the rising trend.

**Haji Wali Muhammad Noorzai**, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare, told **UNA** that cancer is both a **deadly and expensive disease**, costing patients **hundreds of thousands of rupees** for treatment. He appealed to **Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti** to allocate **additional funds** for cancer prevention and treatment to ease the burden on poor patients.

Noorzai further urged the government to **establish advanced diagnostic centers**, allocate **research funds**, and launch **awareness campaigns** across the province to educate the public and enable **early detection and prevention** of this life-threatening disease.