What is the Most Common Cancer in Pakistan?
The most common cancer in Pakistan is breast cancer, especially among women, followed by oral cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Here’s a breakdown of each:
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Pakistan, making up around 25–29% of all cancers in women. It mostly affects women over the age of 40, but younger women are also at risk. If you’re a woman, regular self-exams and screenings like mammograms can help detect it early, which improves the chances of successful treatment.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is very common in both men and women, especially due to high use of tobacco, betel nut, and pan. In men, it is among the top two cancers reported. If you chew tobacco or use similar products, you’re at a significantly higher risk of developing cancer in the mouth, tongue, or throat.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is more frequent in men, often linked to smoking. It can develop silently, and by the time you feel symptoms like coughing or chest pain, it may already be in an advanced stage. Smoking is the primary cause, but air pollution also plays a role in increasing risk.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is rising in Pakistan, especially in urban areas. It’s more common in people over 50 but can affect younger individuals too. If you have symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, or long-term abdominal pain, you should get checked early.
What is the Most Common Cancer in Pakistan in Male?
The most common cancer in males in Pakistan is oral cancer, followed by lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and lymphoma.
When to See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor as soon as you suspect any signs or symptoms of cancer, have already been diagnosed, or notice changes in your health during or after treatment. Early consultation helps with faster diagnosis, better treatment planning, and improved survival chances.
If You Notice Unusual Symptoms
If you feel something is wrong in your body and symptoms last more than 2 weeks, don’t wait. For example:
A lump that doesn’t go away
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent fatigue
Changes in skin, moles, or sores that don’t heal
Long-lasting cough or hoarseness
Blood in urine, stool, or coughing
These may not always be cancer, but if they are, catching it early improves outcomes.
After a Cancer Diagnosis
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you need to see a doctor immediately to begin treatment planning. Your doctor will:
- Confirm the stage of cancer
- Recommend treatment options (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.)
- Explain expected side effects and recovery time
- Set up regular follow-up tests and scans
- Don’t delay appointments, as cancer can spread quickly in some cases.
During Treatment
If you’re already receiving treatment and feel worse than expected, contact your doctor. You should reach out if you experience:
- Severe pain or swelling
- High fever or infections
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting that doesn’t stop
- Unusual bleeding or weakness
- These can be side effects or signs that treatment needs adjusting.
After Treatment or in Remission
Even after your treatment is over, regular follow-ups are important. See your doctor if you:
- Feel new symptoms or old symptoms come back
- Notice changes in appetite, sleep, or energy
- Need help managing emotional or physical side effects
- Ongoing checkups help detect any recurrence early and ensure your recovery is on track.
What are the Causes of the Common Cancer in Pakistan?
The most common cancers in Pakistan such as breast, oral, lung, and colorectal cancers are mainly caused by lifestyle habits, environmental exposure, and lack of early screening. Below is a simple explanation of the causes for each type so you can better understand the risks.
Breast Cancer (Most Common in Women)
Family history and genetics: If someone in your family had breast cancer, your risk increases.
Hormonal changes: Starting periods early, late menopause, or hormone replacement therapy can raise risk.
Obesity and lack of physical activity: Being overweight, especially after menopause, increases estrogen levels in the body.
Late childbirth or no childbirth: Women who don’t have children or have their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk.
In Pakistan, low awareness, cultural stigma, and delayed checkups often lead to late-stage detection.
Oral Cancer (Most Common in Men)
Tobacco and betel nut use: This includes gutka, pan, naswar, and other chewable tobacco products. These are the biggest contributors.
Poor oral hygiene: Bad dental health increases the risk of chronic infections that may turn cancerous.
Alcohol use: Alcohol can damage the lining of your mouth, making it easier for harmful substances to cause cancer.
In Pakistan, oral cancer accounts for up to 20% of male cancers, driven by the high use of chewable tobacco.
Lung Cancer
Main Causes:
Smoking: The top cause of lung cancer. Even passive (secondhand) smoking increases your risk.
Air pollution: In urban areas like Karachi and Lahore, polluted air contributes to lung damage over time.
Occupational exposure: If you work around chemicals, dust, or asbestos, your risk is higher.
Many patients are diagnosed in later stages due to lack of early symptoms or ignoring early signs like coughing.
Colorectal Cancer
Main Causes:
Unhealthy diet: Low fiber, high-fat diets, and eating lots of red or processed meat increase the risk.
Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle slows digestion, which can raise your cancer risk.
Family history: If a close relative had colon or rectal cancer, your risk is higher.
Obesity and diabetes: These conditions are linked to increased inflammation and cancer cell growth.
In Pakistan, this cancer is rising due to changing diets, urban lifestyles, and low screening rates.
What are the Tablets Available for the Most Common Cancer in Pakistan?
The most common cancer in Pakistan is breast cancer, and the main tablets used to treat it include Tamoxifen, Letrozole, Anastrozole, and Exemestane, depending on the stage and hormone receptor status of the cancer. Other cancers like oral and lung cancer may also involve tablet-based chemotherapy or targeted therapies, but breast cancer has the most well-defined oral treatment options.
Breast Cancer Tablets
Tamoxifen
Use: Used in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
How it works: Blocks estrogen from binding to cancer cells, which slows or stops their growth.
When you take it: Usually given after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation to prevent recurrence.
Available in Pakistan: Widely available under brands like Nolvadex or generic versions.
Letrozole (Femara)
Use: Common in postmenopausal women with hormone-positive breast cancer.
How it works: Lowers estrogen levels in the body, which starves the cancer cells.
Available in Pakistan: Available as Femara, Letronat, and other generics.
Anastrozole (Arimidex)
Use: Similar to Letrozole, used in early and advanced breast cancer.
How it works: Reduces estrogen production by blocking the aromatase enzyme.
Available in Pakistan: Brands include Arimidex and local alternatives.
Exemestane (Aromasin)
Use: For advanced breast cancer after failure of Tamoxifen.
How it works: Irreversibly blocks estrogen production.
Available in Pakistan: Available under Aromasin and other generic names.
Oral Cancer Tablets
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Use: Sometimes used in advanced cases.
How it works: Converts into a chemotherapy drug (5-FU) in the body and kills cancer cells.
Availability: Brands including Xeloda used with caution and often in combination with IV drugs.
However, oral cancer is more often treated with surgery, radiation, and IV chemotherapy. Tablet options are limited in early stages.
Lung Cancer Tablets
Gefitinib (Iressa) and Erlotinib (Tarceva)
Use: For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation.
How they work: Block growth signals in cancer cells.
Availability: Both drugs are available in Pakistan through oncologists.
Osimertinib (Tagrisso)
Use: Advanced NSCLC after failure of earlier EGFR therapies.
How it works: A newer-generation targeted therapy.
Availability: Available in major cancer centers but may be expensive.
Colorectal Cancer Tablets
Capecitabine (Xeloda)
Use: Commonly used as oral chemotherapy.
How it works: Gets converted into an active drug inside cancer cells.
Availability: Widely available in Pakistan.