ISLAMABAD, Feb 4, 2026 — On World Cancer Day, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) reiterated its commitment to expanding accessible and affordable cancer diagnosis and treatment across Pakistan, as the country continues to face a growing cancer burden and gaps in early detection.
Cancer remains a major public health challenge globally and in Pakistan, where more than 180,000 new cases are reported each year. Health officials say many patients seek care at advanced stages due to limited awareness and screening, making timely access to specialized services critical.
Nationwide public-sector cancer care network
PAEC operates a nationwide network of 21 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals (AECHs), which treat about 80 percent of cancer patients in Pakistan, according to the Commission. The hospitals collectively register more than 45,000 new patients annually and carry out close to one million diagnostic and therapeutic procedures each year, offering services regardless of patients’ financial background.
Facilities are spread across all provinces and regions to improve geographic access. In Punjab, AECHs in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur and Gujranwala serve large patient populations, particularly for breast, head and neck, and gastrointestinal cancers. In Sindh, hospitals in Karachi, Jamshoro, Nawabshah and Larkana provide diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for patients from both urban centers and interior districts.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, AECHs in Peshawar, Abbottabad and Swat cater to patients from the province and merged districts, reducing the need for long-distance travel. In Balochistan, the AECH in Quetta provides specialized oncology services in an area historically underserved by advanced healthcare. PAEC has also expanded services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir through the AECH KINOR in Muzaffarabad, and in Gilgit-Baltistan to improve access in remote and mountainous regions.
Technology, training and international recognition
PAEC hospitals are equipped with advanced medical technologies, including PET-CT and SPECT-CT scanners, cyclotrons for radiopharmaceutical production, linear accelerators, brachytherapy units, and modern radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT, VMAT and CyberKnife. Comprehensive pathology and laboratory services support diagnosis, staging and follow-up care.
To address shortages of trained oncology professionals, PAEC said it continues to invest in postgraduate education and capacity building through the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS). At the international level, PAEC’s Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) in Islamabad has been designated an Anchor Centre by the International Atomic Energy Agency, recognizing its role in cancer care, training and research.
Focus on prevention and early detection
Marking World Cancer Day, PAEC emphasized that prevention, public awareness and early detection remain the most effective ways to reduce cancer-related deaths. The Commission highlighted the need to strengthen awareness campaigns, expand organized screening—particularly for breast and cervical cancers—and promote healthier lifestyles to lower cancer risk.
PAEC said reducing Pakistan’s cancer burden will require coordinated efforts by government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society and communities, and renewed its pledge to ensure timely, quality cancer care regardless of cost or location.
