Spike in cancer cases reported at Hiwa Hospital in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH, September 26 — Hiwa Hospital, a cancer hospital in Sulaymaniyah, reported 32 cancer cases on Sunday, with the majority being breast cancer cases, according to a member of the hospital’s staff.

Dr. Mohammed Abdulwahab, a member of the hospital’s research committee, stated: “Approximately 85 percent of the cases recorded on Sunday are from the residents of Sulaymaniyah city. Among the 32 new cancer cases, there are three individuals under the age of 18 who are suffering from blood cancer, brain cancer, and nervous system cancer. The majority of cases in adults are breast cancer.”

According to Abdulwahab, the actual rate of cancer among the local population is estimated to be much higher than reported due to the lack of accurate reporting and the number of patients traveling abroad for treatment.

“Environmental factors, unhealthy eating habits, and physical inactivity are contributing to the rising cancer cases,” he said.

According to the hospital’s statistics, approximately 3,322 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, down from 3,800 the previous year.