By Dr. Paras Abbas Ghandalo
Abstract:
Background:
Cancer has become a growing health concern in Pakistan, and
the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is particularly
challenging. The region’s mountainous geography, limited
healthcare infrastructure, and scattered population make timely
diagnosis and treatment very difficult. Although there are no
regional cancer registries or large-scale studies from GB, data
from our hospital provide valuable insight into the types of
cancers being seen and the challenges faced by both patients
and healthcare providers.
Objective:
To present our hospital’s experience in assessing the cancer
burden in Gilgit-Baltistan, identify the most common
malignancies and demographic trends, and discuss the major
challenges and ongoing efforts in delivering effective oncology
care within the region’s limited resource setting.
Methods:
A retrospective review of our hospital’s cancer data was
analyzed cases by type, gender, age, and stage at diagnosis.
These findings were supplemented by clinical observations and
experience from daily oncology practice in GB.
Findings:
Our hospital data indicate that breast, gastrointestinal (GI), and
lung cancers are the three most common malignancies seen in
Gilgit-Baltistan. Breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women, most often detected at advanced stages due to
limited awareness about early warning signs such as breast
lumps, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape or skin
texture. Cultural barriers and lack of education further delay
medical consultation. Gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal and gastric, are
increasingly reported among both men and women. This trend
may be related to dietary changes, low fiber intake, and limited
knowledge about key symptoms like persistent abdominal pain,
changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.
Lung cancer continues to be the most frequent malignancy
among men, commonly associated with tobacco use, exposure
to wood smoke, and delayed recognition of symptoms such as
chronic cough, breathlessness, or chest pain. In addition,
prostate cancer, skin malignancies, and lymphomas are also
observed with notable frequency. There are also rare
presentations of cancers, including uncommon soft-tissue
tumors, reflecting the diverse but under-documented cancer
landscape of the region.
Most patients present between 35 and 55 years of age, and the
majority are diagnosed at advanced stages (III or IV). Late
presentation is largely due to low awareness of cancer
symptoms, long travel distances, and limited diagnostic
facilities. These factors together highlight the urgent need for
community education and early detection efforts in
Gilgit-Baltistan.
Conclusion:
Our hospital’s experience reflects both the seriousness of the
cancer problem in Gilgit-Baltistan and the determination of
local healthcare providers working under challenging
conditions. Despite limited resources and difficult geography,
our team has taken a proactive approach, organizing
community awareness sessions, early detection activities, and
outreach programs aimed at improving understanding of cancer
symptoms and encouraging timely medical consultation. These
initiatives have already shown positive results and demonstrate
that meaningful progress is possible even in remote,
resource-constrained regions. Sustained investment in
diagnostic facilities, awareness campaigns, and
community-based cancer education will be essential to curb the
growing cancer burden and improve outcomes for patients in
Gilgit-Baltistan.