Kathmandu, 28 Jan: Nearly 99 percent of cancer treatment is possible within Nepal, and new technologies are being introduced every year in cancer care. Although advanced cancer treatment technologies are being developed globally, Nepal has not yet been able to adopt some of the most expensive and highly specialized systems.
“World-class cancer treatment is available in Nepal itself,” said Dr. Ujjwal Chalise, Executive Director of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. “Only patients who require a few treatments that are not available in Nepal go to countries like India.”
Technologies that are not yet available in Nepal include robotic surgery, robotic therapy, and proton therapy. Proton therapy—used for radiation treatment of cancer—is extremely expensive, costing billions of rupees, and is available only in limited centers even in India. Apart from these, all other cancer treatments are being provided within Nepal. Dr. Chalise stated that nearly 99 percent of cancer cases can be treated domestically.
Treasurer of the Association of Private Health Institutions of Nepal (APHIN), Swarupa Shrestha, said Nepal has made significant progress in cancer treatment. “Nepalese hospitals are moving forward by introducing new technologies in cancer care,” she said. “Except for a few advanced technologies, cancer treatment in Nepal is excellent.”
Due to lifestyle changes, the number of cancer patients in Nepal has been increasing. Excessive use of pesticides in food and vegetables, unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and environmental factors are major contributors to the rising cancer burden.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 40 people die from cancer every day in Nepal. Senior cancer specialist Dr. Chalise said that smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, poor lifestyle habits, and pesticide exposure are increasing cancer and other non-communicable diseases in the country. Major non-communicable diseases include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. He emphasized the need for early awareness and screening programs, stating that prevention should be prioritized over treatment.
“Cancer is increasing not only in Nepal but worldwide,” Dr. Chalise said. “Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.” According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases rank first, followed by cancer.
Dr. Chalise also stressed the importance of making cancer treatment accessible to all and encouraging pharmaceutical companies to produce cancer medicines in Nepal. Local production, he said, would help reduce treatment costs. He reiterated that 99 percent of cancer cases are treated in Nepal, while only one percent of patients seek treatment abroad.
Senior oncologist Dr. Arun Shahi said that due to a lack of public awareness, many patients reach hospitals at a very late stage, making treatment difficult. He emphasized the importance of cancer screening and early diagnosis, stating that nationwide awareness campaigns could significantly reduce cancer-related deaths. He expressed confidence that cooperation between government, community, and private sectors could help lower the cancer burden.
Dr. Chalise further noted that cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination for adolescent girls, and hepatitis B vaccination can help prevent liver cancer. Since early-stage cancer is fully curable, he advised people to seek medical attention promptly.
The most common cancer in Nepal is lung cancer, followed by cervical cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, oral cancer, and blood cancer. Dr. Chalise added that poverty and lack of awareness prevent many cancer patients from reaching hospitals. At Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, around 500 patients visit daily, with about 10 new cancer cases identified each day. He said that three to five patients die each week due to cancer at the hospital.
