HERAT CITY (SW) – As the prevalence of cancer among women in Herat rises, officials at the regional hospital report a significant 30% surge in endometrial cancer cases compared to last year.
Ahmad Farooq Sediqi, head of the cancer department at Herat Regional Hospital, attributes the surge to limited capabilities for early detection. “The number of cases has increased by about 30% each year compared to previous years. Unfortunately, we have seen more cancer patients each year,” Sediqi told Salam Watandar.
Simin, whose sister is battling endometrial cancer, shared her distress: “My sister was 25 years old and ill. We didn’t know it was cancer. She started bleeding, and when we took her to the doctor, they said it was cancer and her condition was severe. There was nothing more they could do.”
Ghulam Mohammad Hanifi, Deputy Director of Public Health in Herat, acknowledged the challenges posed by delayed and inaccurate diagnoses but assured that efforts are ongoing to address these issues.
Doctors specializing in endometrial cancer in Herat highlight the lack of diagnostic and treatment tools as a major factor contributing to the rising number of cases and fatalities among women.
Suhaila Haidari, a physician at the cancer department of the regional hospital, said, “We have significant issues with sample collection. It is not just about diagnosis; we lack treatment capabilities. Radiotherapy is not available in Afghanistan, and we face problems with sample collection for all types of cancer. Proper diagnosis of cancer samples is not always possible due to the lack of facilities.”
According to health officials in Herat, last year, more than 6,500 cancer patients were registered in the province, reflecting an alarming increase in recent years.
