World Cancer Day observed
Mongolia marked World Cancer Day on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. This special day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration.
Since 2015, cancer has been listed as the second main reason for death in Mongolia. Some 248.8 cases of cancer and 187.8 deaths per 100,000 people were registered in 2018. About 40 percent of all cancers registered in the last five years were liver cancer.
The government and Health Ministry are taking various actions against cancer, treatment and preventions. Parliament approved additional changes to the Law on Health and Health Insurance to increase access to cancer treatment and early diagnosis of cancers of liver, stomach, esophagus, cervical neck, breast, lung and coarse rectum for middle-aged and elderly people starting January 1, 2020.
According to the new law, the following age groups are entitled to certain medical services.
• Those aged 40 and older who have hepatitis B and C and chronic hepatitis will have ultrasound imaging and biochemical checkups twice a year.
• Those aged 40 and older will be entitled to early diagnosis of gastric cancer once a year.
• Women aged between 30 and 60 will be entitled to diagnosis of cervical cervix cancer and breast cancer once every three years.
• Those aged 50 and older will be entitled to early diagnosis of lung cancer once a year and early diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer once every two years.
The four most common cancers occurring worldwide are lung, female breast, bowel and prostate cancer. These four account for more than 40 percent of all cancers diagnosed worldwide. UK researchers believe 27.5 million new cases of cancer will be registered each year through 2040.