The head of the Iranian Radiotherapy Association said that about 200,000 new cancer cases are identified in the country each year.

Ali Motlaq, on the sidelines of the Oncology Nursing Congress, told Mehr News Agency that cancer has become one of the most important public health issues in the country.

According to him, the increase in the number of disease cases should be analyzed by taking into account factors such as the aging of the population and increased life expectancy.

Referring to the prevalence of prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers, Motlaq said that alongside treatment, prevention, control of risk factors, and early diagnosis are of great importance.

He said that cancer treatment is no longer limited to a single drug or one method, and a range of modern treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and precise radiotherapy are available to patients.

Ali Taghizadeh, secretary of the Iranian Radiotherapy Association, also said that the introduction of targeted treatments, immunotherapy, cell therapies, radiopharmaceuticals, and new radiotherapy methods has increased the complexity of patient care.

The growing incidence of cancer in Iran comes as the Islamic Republic in recent years has been unable to meet the medication needs of these patients.