Understanding Cancer

Information on what cancer is, common types in PNG, and steps you can take to reduce your risk.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a condition where cells in the body grow in an uncontrolled way. It can affect any part of your body, including your organs, blood, bone marrow, and immune system. Sometimes cancer spreads from one place to another (metastasis).

Cancer in PNG

  • Impact
    Estimated ~12,000 new cases annually with a mortality rate of 60%.
  • Women
    Cervix (leading, high HPV prevalence), Breast.
  • Men
    Head & Neck (oral), Liver (Hepatitis B driven), Prostate, Lung.

Risk Factors

It's not always clear what causes cancer, but certain factors can increase your risk:

  • Getting older
  • Family history
  • Smoking & Alcohol
  • Overweight
  • Viruses (HPV, Hep B)
  • Sun exposure

Reducing Your Risk

You cannot always prevent cancer, but you can take steps to lower your risk.

Screening & Vaccination

  • • Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear / HPV)
  • • Breast cancer screening (Mammogram)
  • • Bowel cancer screening
  • • HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines

Healthy Lifestyle

  • • Quit smoking and limit alcohol
  • • Maintain a healthy weight
  • • Sun safety (SPF 30+, shade)
  • • Active lifestyle (150 mins moderate activity/week)