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Two million people living with diabetes: Experts warn diabetic wounds deadlier than cancer
Colombo, Oct. 30 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has raised alarm over the growing number of diabetic patients in the country, revealing that at least two million Sri Lankans are currently living with diabetes, with around 40,000 developing new wounds each year.
Prof. Rezni Cassim, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgery at the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Medicine, said diabetic wounds are far more dangerous than many realize in some cases, even more serious than cancer.
“Right now, there are about 100,000 diabetic patients in Sri Lanka suffering from wounds, and many of these can progress to the point where a leg has to be amputated,” Prof. Cassim said. “Even a small wound on a diabetic patient’s foot can lead to severe complications.”
He warned that once a leg is amputated due to diabetes, there is a 30% chance the remaining leg will be lost within three years, and a 66% chance within five years.
“The incidence of diabetic wounds is about 20%. This means that out of every hundred diabetic patients, twenty could develop such wounds. Of all amputations, about 85–90% start from a small wound on the foot. Poor blood circulation, nerve damage due to high sugar levels, and calcium buildup are key reasons,” he explained.
Prof. Cassim drew a striking comparison between diabetic wounds and cancer, noting that both progress silently, worsen over time, and can ultimately be fatal.
“When we look at all types of cancer, about 30% of patients die within a year. But among those who lose a leg due to diabetes, only 35% are still alive after four years,” he said. “That means two-thirds die within that time. In fact, only ovarian cancer and lung cancer have worse survival rates — all other cancers have better outcomes.”
The SLMA emphasized the urgent need for greater awareness, early diagnosis, and proper foot care among diabetic patients to prevent complications that could lead to disability or death.
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