'N-E has more cancer cases than rest of country'
New Delhi, January 15, 2007: Cases of cancer are spiralling in India's north-eastern states, with certain areas having higher incidences compared to that of the rest of the country.
India's first population-based cancer survey of four north-eastern states Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim has found that 123 per 100,000 males and 103 per 100,000 females in NE are suffering from cancer. In contrast, the national prevalence hovers around 80 cases per 100,000.
The number stands at 68 per 100,000 males and 82 per 100,000 females in Delhi and 93 per 100,000 males and 103 per 100,000 females in Chennai. In Mumbai, the prevalence is 69 per 100,000 males and 83 per 100,000 females.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which conducted the study in the north-east, has for the first time also found that people there are more prone to mouth, stomach, gall bladder and lung cancer.
The study also highlights that lung cancer was more prevalent in males in Imphal while females in Manipur and Mizoram were more prone to lung cancer. Males in Mizoram and Sikkim are being diagnosed more with stomach cancer.In both males and females, Aizawl showed the highest incidence of stomach cancer.
"For the first time, we have authentic data on cancer cases in north-eastern states. A network of cancer registries in the country was established in 1981 but the north-east registry started accessing data only from January 1, 2003.
We believed that stomach and lung cancers were the most common. However, we were surprised when we found that gall bladder equally affects people in the north-east," Dr Kishor Chowdhary, deputy director general of ICMR, told TOI.
The health ministry allocates 10% of the total budget for cancer (Rs 82 crore in 2006) for the north-east. Officials say the allocation will go up in 2007.
India, specially the north-east, is also facing an acute shortage of radio therapy machines. For every 10,000 patients, one machine is needed. However, instead of the required 11,000 machines, India has just 345.
India, where 25 lakh cancer patients live at any point of time, sees 7-9 lakh fresh cases come up every year and the disease kills 4 lakh people annually. There are only 25 regional cancer centres, of which only three are in the north-east. One more is coming up in Shillong shortly.
New Delhi, January 15, 2007: Cases of cancer are spiralling in India's north-eastern states, with certain areas having higher incidences compared to that of the rest of the country.
India's first population-based cancer survey of four north-eastern states Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim has found that 123 per 100,000 males and 103 per 100,000 females in NE are suffering from cancer. In contrast, the national prevalence hovers around 80 cases per 100,000.
The number stands at 68 per 100,000 males and 82 per 100,000 females in Delhi and 93 per 100,000 males and 103 per 100,000 females in Chennai. In Mumbai, the prevalence is 69 per 100,000 males and 83 per 100,000 females.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which conducted the study in the north-east, has for the first time also found that people there are more prone to mouth, stomach, gall bladder and lung cancer.
The study also highlights that lung cancer was more prevalent in males in Imphal while females in Manipur and Mizoram were more prone to lung cancer. Males in Mizoram and Sikkim are being diagnosed more with stomach cancer.In both males and females, Aizawl showed the highest incidence of stomach cancer.
"For the first time, we have authentic data on cancer cases in north-eastern states. A network of cancer registries in the country was established in 1981 but the north-east registry started accessing data only from January 1, 2003.
We believed that stomach and lung cancers were the most common. However, we were surprised when we found that gall bladder equally affects people in the north-east," Dr Kishor Chowdhary, deputy director general of ICMR, told TOI.
The health ministry allocates 10% of the total budget for cancer (Rs 82 crore in 2006) for the north-east. Officials say the allocation will go up in 2007.
India, specially the north-east, is also facing an acute shortage of radio therapy machines. For every 10,000 patients, one machine is needed. However, instead of the required 11,000 machines, India has just 345.
India, where 25 lakh cancer patients live at any point of time, sees 7-9 lakh fresh cases come up every year and the disease kills 4 lakh people annually. There are only 25 regional cancer centres, of which only three are in the north-east. One more is coming up in Shillong shortly.
posted by Ven. Pragya Jyoti at 10:12 PM
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