Five years ago in Mongolia, around 6,000 people were diagnosed with cancer annually. However, last year, the number increased to over 8,000. On the positive side, while 80 percent of cancer patients previously sought medical help only at later stages, that number has decreased to 65 percent. Anyone can develop cancer, but it is crucial not to succumb to it. Unfortunately, our country leads the world in cancer-related deaths. Several countries have a high rate of cancer incidence, but they are able to control it by detecting the disease early, treating it before it reaches its final stages. For example, South Korea has a higher rate of stomach cancer than Mongolia, but its cancer-related death rate is lower. Medical experts constantly emphasize the importance of early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and overcoming the disease. While we are aware of this, we often fail to implement it. This careless attitude and lack of health education are pushing people toward death, though it is a harsh but true reality.
No way to escape
The number of people diagnosed with cancer is likely to continue rising. By 2040, cancer incidence and mortality are expected to increase by 96 percent, according to the National Cancer Center (NCC). As life expectancy increases, the incidence of cancer also rises. In other words, cancer is often referred to as a disease of the elderly, as the risk of developing cancer increases with age. However, in Mongolia, cancer is “becoming younger”. Doctors report that individuals aged 45 and older are increasingly diagnosed with cancer. This serves as a reminder that there is no way to escape. Our responsibility is to get checked for cancer and take action as soon as any symptoms appear, addressing the issue before it becomes more severe.
Last year, 8,169 people were diagnosed with cancer in Mongolia, and 4,755 people died from it. This means that one in every five people who died last year died due to cancer. According to experts at NCC, 60 percent of those diagnosed at advanced stages only had one year to live, while 42.7 percent survived for up to five years after their diagnosis. The general director of NCC, N.Erdenekhuu noted, “In recent years, the number of new cancer cases has been rising. This is the result of nationwide efforts to implement preventive measures, early screenings, tests, and diagnoses. Among the most common types of cancer are liver, stomach, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, which are often diagnosed at advanced stages. This shows where we should focus our efforts on prevention and early detection.” “In Mongolia, liver, cervical, stomach, breast, and colorectal cancers are more common among women, while liver, stomach, lung, esophageal, and colorectal cancers are more common among men. In other words, 60 percent of cancer cases among women and 80 percent among men are related to the digestive system. Colorectal and pancreatic cancers have emerged as the top five types of ‘silent’ cancers. On the other hand, esophageal cancer has seen a decrease in both cases and mortality. Cancers related to food safety and lifestyle, rather than viral causes, are on the rise,” says N.Erdenekhuu.
If we were to count how many families in Mongolia have never been affected by cancer or have not lost a loved one to this disease, it would be easier said than done. Cancer is becoming increasingly widespread. Doctors and specialists predict that cancer cases will rise by 96 percent in the next 15 years. By then, relying solely on the healthcare system would be pointless. It would be impossible for a few doctors and nurses to provide necessary care to every patient. NCC already serves 3,800 to 4,000 people weekly, and its services are often overwhelmed. As a result, many patients lose valuable time and end up exacerbating their conditions. There have been instances where people died at home while waiting for palliative care because there were no available beds at the hospital.
In this country, where air pollution, dust, traffic congestion, stress, and poor food safety are prevalent, living a healthy life is almost impossible. Nevertheless, it is crucial for each individual to focus on what they can control. People’s understanding and approach to preventive care, early detection, and leading a healthy lifestyle—including exercise and attention to health—are lacking, and this has contributed to the rise of cancer cases. It is not uncommon to hear someone say, “I never had to go to the hospital before, but now I have cancer”. This is no longer something to brag about in modern times; it is the attitude of someone who doesn’t care about their own health. People avoid getting checked, like postponing stomach exams, until it’s too late, and the disease progresses to the point where it becomes more difficult to treat.
On the other hand, the government is failing to provide citizens with the opportunity to live in a healthy environment and ensuring adequate access to medical services, which has led to many cancer-related deaths. Everyone knows how difficult it is to secure an appointment at the cancer hospital, and yet it remains the only place to seek help. Patients face long waiting times, and delays in getting early diagnoses are not uncommon. According to T.Undarmaa, the head of the Cancer Registration, Surveillance, and Early Detection Department at NCC, the number of people being diagnosed in the early stages has been gradually increasing in recent years. Among them, cancers of the cervix, kidneys, and thyroid are being diagnosed at earlier stages. Cervical cancer remains one of the cancers that can be avoided through early detection. Yet last year, 521 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 167 died from it. It is tragic that such a number of women continue to die from preventable cancer every year.
Robotic surgery
In modern medicine, cancer diagnosis and treatment are increasingly based on molecular and genetic research. Mongolia is facing the challenge of not falling behind the world in adopting advanced technologies for medical treatment. Just a few days ago, doctors at NCC successfully introduced a new method of laparoscopic donor liver resection. This pioneering surgery, performed for the first time in Mongolia, was carried out in collaboration with consulting professors from Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea. When performing organ transplants from donors who are giving the gift of life to loved ones, doctors emphasize the importance of minimizing pain and preventing complications, including wounds.
As a result, after years of research, the laparoscopic liver resection method has now been implemented in Mongolia. Previously, only about four percent of general surgeries at NCC were done laparoscopically, but this figure has now increased to 50 percent. N.Erdenekhuu has also announced plans to introduce robotic surgeries in the near future. “Robotic surgery has been used worldwide for some time. Last year, NCC launched a robotic surgery training center to integrate artificial intelligence into healthcare. With this advanced technology, we will perform surgeries at the highest standard of safety. Our doctors underwent full-year training, and we plan to begin robotic surgeries in August,” he said. However, both laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are more expensive than traditional open surgeries. N.Erdenekhuu also pointed out that the funding available from health insurance is insufficient to cover these costs.
Compared to previous years, the understanding and knowledge of cancer among Mongolians have significantly improved. While people used to fear and regard cancer as a hopeless disease, they now approach it with hope, believing in the possibility of recovery and courageously seeking treatment, according to doctors. NCC has a Support Service Office where cancer survivors unite to voluntarily organize various activities, encourage each other, and fight together. Simply put, cancer occurs when the regulation of cell division is disrupted, leading to uncontrolled growth. Malignant tumors metastasize rapidly, enlarging in a short period and spreading to adjacent organs. The most dangerous aspect is when cancer spreads through the blood or lymphatic system. For example, a tumor in the lungs can spread to the brain through the bloodstream.
Therefore, rather than waiting until it’s too late, preventing cancer and detecting it early should be a collaborative effort involving the government, doctors, specialists, and citizens. The Ministry of Health has emphasized the importance of early screening for cancer starting on February 15, noting that the second round of screenings will focus on the most prevalent cancers. If we do not pay attention to reducing the harmful effects of cancer, one of the leading causes of death in Mongolia, we may face the consequences later on.
By D.CHANTSALMAA
