Tobacco use main cause of cancer in State

As per the BBCI Annual Report, 10,566 patients were registered at the institute during the year 2014-15 and over 80,000 patients came for treatment and check-ups.

According to the report, more than 6,115 cycles of free chemotherapy were given to patients and 769 patients received free cancer treatment under the HMCPF and BBCI scheme. A total of 4279 patients were admitted for treatment and 974 major cancer surgeries were performed.

According to Dr J Dev Sharma, Principal Investigator of HBCR, BBCI, in the year 2014, pharynx, esophagus and lungs were leading sites of cancers in males and females, while breast, gall bladder and uterine cervix were leading sites of cancers.

Significantly, 67.1 per cent and 45.9 per cent of all cancers in males and females respectively were related to tobacco use.

The publication of the Hospital Based Cancer Registry shows that of all patients, the relative proportion of children below 15 years of age was 1.6 per cent. It is worth mentioning that 11 per cent of cancers in men and 14 per cent of all cancers in women were diagnosed at earlier stages.

The HBCR at BBCI receives financial and technical support from the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research at Bengaluru under Indian Council of Medical Research. The cancer registry publication serves an important component for planning and utilisation of resources for cancer control.

The Governor laid stress on prevention and early detection of cancer. He also stated that sedentary lifestyle was responsible for majority of non-communicable diseases. The Governor appreciated various recreational programmes, including meditation and yoga organised by BBCI for patients.

He also advised the institute to have tie-ups with universities and other educational institutes for conducting research works.

BBCI Director Dr Kataki appreciated the Governor and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for taking keen interest to transfer the institute to the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India, to develop it as a Centre of Excellence for Cancer Treatment, Education and Research.

The programme was also attended by Dr BB Borthakur, Medical Superintendent, Dr Debabrata Barmon, Dr Manigreeva Krishnatreya and Dr Nizara Baishya.