Cancer tentacles grip Northeast

Context: Northeast India is witnessing an alarming rise in the number of cancer
patients, along with a correspondingly high fatality rate in recent years. As
per a report released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2021,
the Northeast has the highest incidence of cancer in India – approximately
three times the national average. Within the region, Mizoram reports the
highest incidence of cancer (207 men and 172.3 women per 1,00,000 people). Extensive
research is required to determine the exact causes – genetic or otherwise –
behind the high incidence of cancer in this region.

Key points

·       Overview: According to
data shared by the annual Health of Nation report by Apollo Hospitals, India is
rapidly emerging as the “cancer capital of the world”.

·       Rise
in NCDs in India: The report sheds light on the rise of
non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, which significantly impact the
nation’s overall health.

·       Reports
from the state: Among men, the cancer incidence rate is highest in
the Aizawl district of Mizoram (269.4 per 1,00,000), followed by the East Khasi
Hills district of Meghalaya (227.9 per 1,00,000) and Kamrup Metro district of
Assam (213.0 per 1,00,000). For women, the highest rate is recorded in the
Papum Pare district of Arunachal (219.8 per 1,00,000), followed by the Aizawl
district (214.1 per 1,00,000) and Kamrup Metro district (169.6 per 1,00,000).

·       Status
of Cancer Prevalence in India: NCD-Related Deaths - Around 63 percent
of all deaths in India are due to NCDs.

Economic Cost of
Cancer - By 2030, these diseases are projected to cost India $3.55 trillion in
lost economic output.

Extrapolation of
Western data in India - The report highlighted the threshold for
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) – a blood test – in Indian men was different
from the current standards suggesting the need for local data.

·       Reasons
for Cancer Prevalence in India: Smoking and Alcohol Use
- Smoking, alcohol use, high BMI (Body Mass Index) Index) and other known
risk factors were responsible for over 37% of cancer deaths in India in 2019,
as per a Lancet Report.

Obesity - Obesity is a
significant risk factor for cancer development. Studies have linked it to an
increased likelihood of breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and kidney cancers.

Unhealthy Diet - An unhealthy
diet that is high in fat, and low in fibre may increase the risk of many
cancers including bowel, lung, prostate and uterine cancers.

Occupational and
Environmental Exposures - Exposure to certain chemicals and toxins in the
workplace or environment, such as asbestos, benzene, and radon, can increase
the risk of various cancers.

·       Way
forward: A comprehensive cancer control programme is urgently needed in the
North-east. Besides government initiatives, this requires the collective
efforts of hospitals, administrative bodies, medical organisations, NGOs, and
the media to raise awareness and promote healthier lifestyles. Vaccination
against cervical cancer must be intensified. Tobacco control programmes should
be implemented more aggressively to combat the deep-rooted habit of tobacco
consumption.