Sri Lanka records around 100 new cancer patients each day, while approximately 40 cancer-related deaths occur daily, according to the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
Community Medicine Specialist Dr Hasarali Fernando said the figures are based on data from the National Cancer Registry 2022, speaking at a media briefing held to mark World Cancer Day on February 4.
She noted that 35,855 new cancer cases were reported in 2022, while 14,986 cancer-related deaths were recorded in 2021. Of the newly diagnosed cases, about 19,500 were women and approximately 16,400 were men.
According to the data, the most common cancer among men is oral cancer, while breast cancer is the most prevalent among women, followed by thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer.
Dr Fernando also highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 30–50 per cent of cancers are preventable. She added that ageing, gender, family history, and genetics are among the major risk factors.
She further explained that Sri Lanka’s ageing population is contributing to the rising cancer burden, due to increased genetic mutations, reduced immunity, and prolonged exposure to cancer-causing factors.
