The minister of health used the opportunity on the occasion of the death of the popular singer Morteza Pashaee to raise awareness about cancer in the country. Dr. Hassan Hashemi who was addressing the National Committee of Cancer said although cancer incidence in Iran is five times less than in Europe and some other countries, the existing trends are alarming as the increase is exponential. He added since cancer is not a disease that would develop overnight, the health ministry intends to promote prevention programs in the long run.
