In Sri Lanka, around 28% of cancer cases reported in women are breast cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Control Programme.

Approximately 15 new breast cancer cases are reported daily in Sri Lanka, while about three women die each day due to the disease, the health authorities have revealed.

This was revealed during a press briefing held yesterday (24) by the Health Ministry’s Health Promotion Bureau, where it was explained that out of a total of 19,457 cancer cases recorded in 2022 among women in Sri Lanka, 5,477 were breast cancer cases.

During the discussion, the Programme’s Director Dr. Shreeni Alahapperuma stressed that even though the most common type of cancer among women is breast cancer, early detection and treatment could cure the patient. However, according to her, more than 30% of breast cancer cases are reported in their last stages, which makes it difficult to achieve successful treatment. 

She also stressed that even if early treatment was commenced, if the treatments are not continued as required, it could also make it difficult to achieve the intended results. “Identify breast cancer as early as possible, seek treatment, and continue treatments until doctors advise you to complete the course,” she said, adding that of the 15,245 cancer-related deaths reported a year, 798 are related to breast cancer.

The World Health Organisation has declared October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.