Thailand battles highest bile duct cancer rate in Southeast Asia

[webfact]

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has revealed that Thailand has the highest rate of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among the Asean nations. The minister announced this worrying statistic at an event commemorating World CCA Day in Maha Sarakham. The primary cause of this cancer is identified as liver fluke.

 

Thailand, being the Southeast Asia nation with the highest prevalence of CCA, is focusing on efforts to eliminate and treat existing CCA cases across 30 high-risk provinces. To achieve this, the health ministry is collaborating with several agencies, launching a comprehensive screening program for liver flukes in individuals aged over 15.

 

Moreover, early detection systems for cholangiocarcinoma will be implemented for those aged over 40, to decrease the infection rate to less than 1% of the population by 2025, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In support of this initiative, a liver fluke screening kit developed by Khon Kaen University will be used to identify high-risk individuals who are likely to develop CCA. In addition, some Royal Covid Testing Vehicles have been repurposed to facilitate ultrasound screenings.

In related news, Thailand grappled with a surge in cancer cases, witnessing over 140,000 new diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives. Despite strides in medical science, formidable cancers like liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical persisted as significant threats. A complex interplay of genetics, diet, toxins, stress, and environmental hazards fueled this epidemic, with lung cancer particularly exacerbated by Thailand’s polluted skies and PM2.5 fine dust.

 

Amid these challenges, promising innovations in precision treatments and immunotherapies offered glimmers of hope.

 

Collaborations between hospitals, government bodies, and international partners aimed to bridge gaps in access to quality care, yet hurdles like treatment complexities, soaring costs, and strained healthcare facilities persisted. Early detection initiatives, such as mammograms, brought rays of hope, but raising awareness and ensuring equitable access to care, especially in remote areas, remained critical imperatives in the ongoing battle against cancer.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-19

 

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[dinsdale]

[Gottfrid]

What do you expect from raw or undercooked inland fish as well as great overuse of Pla Ra, the rotten fish.

[huangnon]

Sadly true. Two of my Thai staff have died from it within the last 15 years, at relatively young ages also.

[smedly]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has revealed that Thailand has the highest rate of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among the Asean nations.

 

a hub that is actually accurate 

[StayinThailand2much]

Interesting. According to Google: "Very rare: Fewer than 20,000 U.S. cases per year", but more than 1% of the population in Thailand?

[Thingamabob]

Overdoing the spice perhaps ?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

What do you expect from raw or undercooked inland fish as well as great overuse of Pla Ra, the rotten fish.

 

[newbee2022]

The article gives the answer: age, liver flukes, and alcohol (presumably).

[Srikcir]

"Food and drinks to stay away from in Thailand", Thaiger 16 September 2021 Updated: 22 June 2023 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Liver flukes. A parasite that can be transferred to humans who eat raw or undercooked fish. Well known source in Thailand is fermented 'pickled' gourami fish caught in wet ricefields. Plah Ra. 

[xtrnuno41]

It is already some years ago, Thailand wanted to prohibit some pesticides, they still use, which are way long forbidden in western world.

I never ever heard it was final, as there were many protests about prohibiting.

There you go, have vegan food it is healthy !  

[The Theory]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

diet, toxins, stress

At least we have some control on these 🤔 

mid we are really consider about living healthy, but not all are aware of it. 
Public education is always important rather than focusing on useless other things. 

 

[lordgrinz]

17 minutes ago, The Theory said:

At least we have some control on these 🤔 

mid we are really consider about living healthy, but not all are aware of it. 
Public education is always important rather than focusing on useless other things. 

 

 

I was way healthier living in my small town back in the US, food here is questionable at best, toxins are a given, and stress is off the charts.

[peter zwart]

It increasingly appears that Thailand is going to pay the price for the policy of the past decades, fueled by corruption. Filling pockets has been and still is more important than the health and education of its population.

[john donson]

at least they know it is because of a fluke... so why not use a famous parasite killer that cannot be named for 3 years of that disease that killed 0,01% of sick people

Edited February 21 by john donson