Representational Image
Guwahati, Feb 4: Do you know as per the National Cancer Registry Programme report for 2020 released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) Northeast India has the highest incidence of cancer in India?
Arunachal Pradesh's Papumpare district and Aizawl in Mizoram recorded the highest incidence of cancer cases in the country among females and males respectively. Mizoram has the highest incidence of cancer-affected people with 207.0 men and 172.3 women per one lakh populations.
The cancer incidence rate in men was found to be highest in the Aizawl (269.4 per 100,000 populations) followed by the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya (227.9 per 100,000 populations) and Kamrup Urban district of Assam (213.0 per 100,000 populations).
In the case of women, it is the highest in Papaumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh (219.8 per 100,000 populations) followed by Aizawl district (214.1 per 100,000 populations) and Kamrup Urban district (169.6 per 100,000 populations).
The estimated number of cancer cases in the northeast in 2020 was 50,317, among whom 27,503 were males and 22,814 females, the report said.
The report further added that the cancer of lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common among men, while cancer of the breast, cervix uteri were most common among women.
A high prevalence of tobacco use, both smoked and smokeless, is noted in the NE region. The alarming figures rather indicates the regional belt as the cancer capital of India.
The reason behind the increased incidence of cancer is often due to lack of awareness and consumption of tobacco in both smoking and smokeless forms.
"Tobacco is harmful in both smoking and smokeless form and it should be avoided. Consumption of tobacco may lead to cancer and nowadays it is increasing rapidly. Apart from cancer, consumption of tobacco may also lead to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease. So, to avoid the harmful effects one has to quit the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco," Dr Sarbana Mishra Bhagabaty Associate Professor cum In charge of Dept of Preventive Oncology, B. Baruah Cancer Institution said to The Assam Tribune.
Proper awareness in cancer education prominently in rural areas is the need of the hour to prevent the causes of cancer and to remove misconceptions and stigma associated with the disease. Experts suggest that timely treatment or diagnosis can help lower the risk of fatalities.
As per reports, cancer treatment delay is a problem in health systems worldwide. Even a four week delay of cancer treatment is associated with increased mortality across surgical, systemic treatment, and radiotherapy indications for seven cancers. Policies focused on minimising system level delays to cancer treatment initiation could improve population level survival outcomes.
As per the National Health Mission common warning signs of cancer are:
• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A wound that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• Thickening or lump in breast or somewhere.
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
• Obvious change in a wart or mole.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness of voice.
The health department further mentions the following points to prevent cancer and adopt a healthy lifestyle:
♦ Do regular health check-ups and cancer screening- After 30 years of age, consult you health care provider for age appropriate screening.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep daily.
• Follow a nutritious diet.
• Avoid obesity, and keeping one's weight in the normal range.
• To remain physically active by including healthy lifestyle such as exercise.
• Including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Quitting alcohol and avoid the consumption of tobacco or arecanut in any form.
Often those diagnosed with cancer or those who have recovered from the disease fall prey to mental health problems such as depression or anxiety disorders. Some of the methods advised by experts to cope with the issue are as follows:
• Don't blame yourself for being diagnosed with the disease.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle- exercise and meditate.
• Engage with your loved ones and also with others.
• Connect with others who are going through the same thing and provide the necessary support.
• Continue with your daily activities, whilst in a modified way.
• Be organized with your time and your medical information.
• Ask for help whenever needed as reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
List of Cancer Hospitals, Institutes and Centres in Assam:
1. GMCH Cancer Hospital (200 Bedded)
Guwahati
2. Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute
(Regional Institute for Treatment and Research)
Gopinath Nagar, Guwahati
Assam - 781 016
Phone No. +91-361-2472366, 2472636, 2472364
3. North East Cancer Hospital
Jorabat, Guwahati,
Assam - 781023
Phone No. 094 35 044076
4. The Cachar Cancer Hospital Society
N. S. Avenue, Silchar
Assam - 788005
Phone No. +91 (03842) 231901
5. Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre
Meherpur, Silchar
Assam - 788015
Phone No. +91 (03842) 224795/240608
6. Lower Assam Hospital & Research Centre
North Bongaigaon, Chapaguri Road,
North Bongaigaon, Bongaigaon - 783380
Phone No. (03664) 230464, 230465
7. JJ Memorial Hospital & Research Centre
Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Avenue,
Dibrugarh, Assam - 786005
Phone No. (0373) 302470, 300147
8. Sristi Hospitals & Research Centre
Paltan Bazar, Jalan Nagar,
Dibrugarh, Assam - 786005
Phone No. (0373) 2301300, 300024
9. Florence Hospital
Pancharatna Road,
Goalpara - 783101,
Assam
Phone No. (03663) 242084
10. Adlab Diagnostics & Research Centre
Opp. St. Marry s School, M.C Road,
Guwahati - 781003,
Dist:Kamrup, Assam
Phone No. (0361) 2664801, 2664895
11. Arya Hospitals
A.M.Road, Opp Apsara Cinema Hall,
Rehabari, Guwahati - 781008,
Dist:Kamrup, Assam
Phone No. (0361) 260665, 2606888
12. Dharanidhar Memorial Institute of Medical Science & Research (DIMS)
2no Mathgharia, B.G.Tiniali,
Zoo Narangi Road, Guwahati - 781020
Dist:Kamrup, Assam
Phone No. (0361) 2656957, 2656546
13. Guwahati Neuro Research Centre Ltd
Near Dispur Super Market,
Guwahati - 781006,
Dist:Kamrup, Assam
Phone No. (0361) 222770 , 2227701
Patients from Assam: For more health related information dial 104 and call 108 for ambulance services.
