Rising Cancer Cases

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, incidences of cancer in Jammu and Kashmir have increased in the last three years. According to details submitted in the winter session of the Rajya Sabha, there were 12726 cases in 2020, 13060 in 2021 and 13395 in 2022. Also, there were 7027 deaths due to cancer in 2020, 7211 in 2021 and 7396 so far in 2022.

The figures surely look alarming compared to 3,075 cancer cases in 2011, 3,288 in 2012, 3,157 in 2013, 3,940 in 2014 and 4,257 in 2015.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs; the latter process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the primary cause of death from cancer.

While cancer is a multifactorial disease, the risk factors, inter alia, include ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet and air pollution.

Cancers of the lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common cancers among men. Cancers of the breast and cervix uteri were the most common cancers among women, the report said.

In 2020, tobacco related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakhs (27.1%) of the total cancer burden.

As per the officials, cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or “highly subsidized” for the poor and needy, the Ministry of Health informed the parliament recently.

It said a population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common cancers is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres.

The studies show a sharp rise in dangerous diseases like cancer, largely attributed to food.

It is time perhaps to focus on preventive measures. Administration must take the lead.  There is also a need for adherence to awareness generation (IEC) activities for Cancer as per Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) for which NPCDCS gives financial support under NHM.

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