Afghanistan, April 19 -- Health officials from the Balkh Public Health Department report a notable rise in cancer cases within the province.

"In 1401, about 2,613 OPD cases were registered with us. During the last year, 1402, these figures were 4,912 cases," said Ehsanullah Kaliwal, the head of the oncology department at Balkh Regional Hospital.

Some doctors attribute the sharp increase in cancer cases in Balkh to various factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental pollution, indiscriminate use of medications, and high consumption of meat. Additionally, one doctor noted that cancer can also have hereditary roots.

Stomach cancer accounts for a significant portion of cancer cases in Balkh. Many patients suffering from this d...