Stomach Cancer is the 'Most Common' Cancer Among Iranian Men

At the first international congress on gastrointestinal cancers in Iran, Mohammad Ismail Akbari, the head of the congress, stated that stomach cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian men and called for 'numerous practical and executive measures to prevent gastrointestinal cancers.' This statement comes as the non-governmental organization 'International Agency for Research on Cancer' has identified stomach cancer as the fourth most common cancer among men since its research began in 2012 (this statistic does not include skin cancer). Lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers rank first to third. Among women, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers are the most common. Pop singer Morteza Pashaei lost his life at the age of 30 due to stomach cancer. Reza Malekzadeh, the research deputy of Iran's Ministry of Health, also warned at the congress about the rise of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran, stating that 'lifestyle' or 'unhealthy eating habits' are among the factors contributing to the growth of such cancers in certain regions of Iran. For instance, he mentioned that this issue has played a significant role in the prevalence of esophageal cancer in Golestan province. According to IRNA news agency from the congress, which took place from December 3 to 5, Mr. Akbari urged Iranian officials and executives to give special importance to efforts aimed at preventing gastrointestinal cancers. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic reported that according to annual research, over 70,000 new cancer cases occur in Iran. These studies predict that as life expectancy increases and the percentage of elderly people in the Iranian population rises, the incidence of cancer will sharply increase in the next decade. Recently, concerns have been raised about the rise of cancer in Iran, including a letter from four doctors urging President Hassan Rouhani to curb the increasing spread of hookah smoking before a 'cancer tsunami' occurs. Last June, the head of the cancer research center at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran stated that the country has 'the highest rate of cancer growth in the world.' In addition to environmental pollution, tobacco or drug use has been warned about regarding cancer growth, and dietary methods in Iran have also faced criticism. Ali Akbar Siari, a deputy minister of health, stated during another congress held simultaneously with the gastrointestinal cancer congress that '78 percent' of the people in Iran have 'poor nutrition,' with low consumption of fruits and vegetables and high intake of salt, sugar, and oil being major dietary issues. A group of specialists participating in the gathering from December 3 to 5 called for informing citizens about dietary methods and lifestyle.