HAZE VICTIMS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING CANCER IN LATER LIFE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 21 (Antara) - The haze disaster in several provinces of Sumatra and Kalimantan over the past few months has led to respiratory infections among tens of thousands of residents.         In Riau province alone, during the period between June 29 and October 20, 2015, a total of 78,879 people were recorded to have suffered from respiratory ailments and other related diseases. According to experts, such haze disaster victims should undergo a comprehensive medical checkup as they could develop cancer later on in life.         According to Wahono, the rector of the University of Pancasila, the victims of haze, arising from forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, need to undergo a health examination as they are at a risk of developing cancer in future.         "The impact of inhaling the haze is not instant, but in the long run, the ill-effects become visible after some five to 10 years. Therefore, they need to take good care of their health," Wahono said on the sidelines of a pharmacy fair at the Pharmacy Faculty of the Pacasila University in Jakarta on Sunday.