A little awareness can go a long way in preventing cancer

Disease affliction is said to be gender neutral but when it comes to cancer in India, women outnumber men. Uttar Pradesh (UP) has surfaced as the cancer capital of India. Saddled already with a poor sex ratio, the greater incidence of cancer in women than men makes it a double whammy for India's weaker sections. The situation in advanced countries like USA is the opposite, men are the weaker sex when it comes to cancer incidences.

According to the Population Based Cancer Registry functioning under the National Cancer Registry Programme of Indian Council of Medical Research, in the year 2011- 554234 cases of cancer were reported among females as opposed to 490008 cases of cancer among males.

Detailing the reasons behind the rise in cancer related fatalities among women, Dr Ramesh Sarin (senior consultant, surgical oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi) said, "It’s extremely important to identify the risk factors for each case of cancer. The common risk factors associated with breast cancer in women are increasing age, family history and early menarche."

In a detailed state wise analysis, Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra and Bihar recorded maximum incidences of cancer in 2011. Uttar Pradesh recorded 171369 cases followed by Maharashtra at 96890 and Bihar at 89,030 respectively.

Identifying the reasons behind the rise in cancer cases in high risk states, Dr Rajeev Kumar (head of surgical oncology at International Oncology Centre,  Fortis Hospital, Noida) said, "Ignorance among the general population as well as lack of proper training among doctors are the main reasons behind the rise in cancer cases in these states. Also, hospitals in these states lack proper infrastructure facilities which act as a hindrance in the detection of cancer at an early stage."

According to an article "Cancer mortality in India: a nationally representative survey" published in Lancet in March 2012, at 30—69 years, the three most common fatal cancers were oral (including lip and pharynx-22.9%), stomach (12.6%), and lung (including trachea and larynx-11.4%) in men.

For women, cervical (17.1%), stomach (14.1%) and breast (10.2%) were the most dangerous.

"A a woman over the age of 35 years giving birth to her first child doubles her risk of getting breast cancer," warned Dr Sarin.

Pointing out the reasons behind the cancer cases in male, Dr Manav Rakshak (consultant at Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi) said, "Cigarette smoking and chewing pan, tobacco and guthka are the main reasons behind oral and lung cancer in men." 

Highlighting the preventable aspects of risk factors associated with cancer in women, Dr Sarin added that, "post menopausal women should avoid gaining weight. Alcohol consumption should be checked and women should indulge in some sort of physical activity to keep cancer at bay."

"Women above the age of 35 years should go for regular tests and screening which can help in identifying the cancer at an early stage and can help keeping the cancerous growth under check,” suggested Dr Kumar.

The Government of India had launched a comprehensive National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 and the programme envisaged implementation in 100 districts across 21 States during 2010-2012 of the 11th Five Year Plan. Under Cancer component of NPCDCS, the district hospitals are strengthened for early diagnosis of cancer, chemotherapy facilities and palliative care to cancer patients. Financial assistance up to Rs1 lakh per patient is available for chemotherapy drugs.

Emphasizing on the government policies in place, Dr Rakshak said, "The government of India’s ‘National Tobacco Control Programme’ has helped in controlling oral cancer and lung cancer in India. It is high time that people should become aware to curb the spread of this deadly disease."