Stockholm – The number of people in Southern Sweden, diagnosed with cancer increased by almost three per cent in 2016 with skin cancer being the highest.
On average, around 240 people received cancer diagnosis every week in the Southern Sweden region, Maria Davis, the stand-in head of the Southern Sweden Regional Cancer Centre told Swedish Television on Thursday in Stockholm.
“Swedish cancer care is struggling with lack of resources. The number of patients is growing at the same time as treatment options are widening.
“The investment in so-called standardised care means more people now undergo scans for suspected cancer.
‘’Cancer detection rate is growing and the rise in skin cancer cases continues to be high.
There were 8.9 per cent more cases in 2016 compared to the year before.
‘’Malignant melanoma, which is the most common form of skin cancer, increased by 6.5 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015.
At the same time, breast cancer rate went down while prostate cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the region,’’ Davis said.
Bjorn Ohlsson, a medical adviser at the Southern Sweden Regional Cancer Center, said an aging population and exposure to the sun were the major reasons behind the rising figures.
“It is about accumulation of habits over time. Some habits that we had 20 years ago may result in skin cancer today,’’ said Ohlsson.
Ohlsson stressed the importance of early diagnoses and healthy lifestyles.
“We know that a large share of cancer can be prevented by giving up smoking, ensuring adequate food, exercising, sunbathing less and carrying out controls for early cancer detection.
“Several hundred lives could be saved in southern Sweden alone,’’ said Ohlsson. (Xinhua/NAN)