September 04, Colombo (LNW): Each year, approximately 200 children in Sri Lanka lose their lives to cancer — a tragic toll that health experts believe could be significantly reduced with earlier diagnosis and timely medical care.
This sobering figure was highlighted by Dr Suraj Perera, a Consultant Community Physician affiliated with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), during a recent media briefing hosted by the Health Promotion Bureau.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Perera noted that while childhood cancer remains a serious concern, the overall number of cases has not shown a dramatic increase over the past decade and a half. “Back in 2022, 904 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in children. For the past 15 years, the annual figures have hovered between 600 and 800. We are now seeing closer to 900 cases each year,” he explained.
Despite this relative stability in case numbers, the annual death toll remains distressingly high. Data from the Department of the Registrar General indicated that roughly 200 children succumbed to cancer in 2019 — a pattern that appears to persist in subsequent years. While data collection for 2020 and beyond is ongoing, officials estimate that this figure has remained largely unchanged.
Dr Perera stressed that not all of these deaths were inevitable. “A number of children who passed away might have had a chance at recovery, had their illnesses been detected and treated earlier,” he said. Delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialised care are among the key challenges identified by health professionals.
He also underscored the importance of public awareness, noting that many families only seek medical help once symptoms have become severe or persistent. “With early detection and proper treatment, not only can survival rates improve, but the severity of complications can also be reduced,” Dr Perera added.
