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‘Cancer deaths on the rise in India’

India.com Health — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:26:31 +0000

India has seen a steady increase in the number of deaths due to cancer, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has told the Rajya Sabha. ”There has been an increase in the number of cancer deaths. Information received from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggests that estimated number of cancer cases are increasing,” Azad said in a statement in the house this week. The three-year consolidated report of the national cancer registry programme of ICMR for 2006-08 shows an increase in average number of cases in different regions as compared to the previous report of 2004-05, he said. ”While no formal study has been undertaken by the ministry for the reasons of increase in number of cancer cases, this may be attributed to ageing population, unhealthy life styles, use of tobacco and tobacco products,” Azad said, replying to a question by MPs H.K. Dua and Gundu Sudharani.

Read: Have you joined the war on cancer?

Azad said the government was aware of the study carried out by the Punjab government that at least 33,000 people have died of cancer in the state during the last five years. The national cancer registry programme of ICMR initiated a project on ‘Development of an Atlas of Cancer in Punjab State’ in March 2011 to find whether the incidents of cancer are high in Punjab, in particular, and in any specific region or regions of the state, he said.

While health is a state subject, Azad said, the central government has supplemented the efforts of state governments in prevention, early detection and management of cancer cases. It has launched a comprehensive National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 in 100 districts across 21 States. Under the programme, financial assistance up to Rs.1 lakh per patient is provided for chemotherapy drugs to treat 100 cancer patients per district. The central government also supplements the efforts of the state governments by focusing on early detection of cancer, promoting health education and creating awareness. The programme also envisages strengthening government medical college hospitals; regional cancer centres (RCC) across the country will be now designated tertiary cancer centres (TCC) for providing comprehensive cancer care services. These institutions are eligible for financial assistance up to Rs.6 crore.

Source: IANS

Priyanka Upendra supports breast cancer awareness event

India.com Health — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:32:43 +0000

Kannada star Priyanka Upendra recently launched an event in Bangalore to spread awareness about breast cancer. The event called ‘Pinkathon – Run to Lead’ also featured fitness enthusiast Milind Soman. Speaking on the occasion, the actress told her story about her mother-in-law being a cancer survivor and losing her uncle to cancer. She said that there needed to be more awareness about cancer detection and also how simple lifestyle changes can prevent cancer.

The disease has become more common in the country in the last decade or so perhaps a by-product of rapid urbanisation, increased smoking, drinking and a more sedentary lifestyle. While it’s hard to pin a number, it’s believed that around one million people get cancer every year and this number could rise significantly if measures aren’t taken.

World Cancer Day 2013: War on Cancer

Nirmalya Dutta — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:15:00 +0000

Of all the diseases that plague mankind, none of them has caused more panic than cancer. The number of myths and stigmas attached to this disease is mind-boggling even though there are a variety of treatments for them. Officially, World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 of every year to increase awareness and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. The theme this year is dispelling the myths and misconceptions about cancer.

We at health.india.com however feel that is not enough and we have decided to hold a month long awareness drive and have christened February Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we will extensively cover everything there is about cancer – prevention, treatment, symptoms, inspirational stories and much more to increase awareness among our readers. So please join us in our War on Cancer because we assure that disease doesn’t stand a chance against the indomitable human spirit. And please share these articles as far and wide as possible, on Facebook and Twitter and who knows, we might just end up saving a life or two!

What is cancer?

Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. Ina healthy body cells grow, die and are replaced in a very controlled way. Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental or internal factors result in cells that don’t die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer or a tumour develops. Most cancer related deaths are due to metastasis, malignant cells that penetrate into the circulatory system and establish colonies in other parts of the body.

What is Cancer (animation)?

Another major issue with the disease is people don’t realise the symptoms of cancer until it’s too late or they don’t realise that they are likely to get the disease. Most cancer victims don’t seek help until the disease has reached a more advanced stage which makes treatment and recovery harder. Cancer like any other disease has causes both intrinsic and extrinsic. Tobacco use, drinking, exposure to harmful radiation, genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, ageing and even unsafe sex can cause cancer.
Read this to find out if you’re likely to get cancer? Here are also some symptoms of the disease you should never ignore. Here’s what you should do in case you discover someone has cancer. Here are some things you can do to prevent cancer.

Different types of cancer

The term ‘cancer’ is broadly used to categorise all these diseases and there are over 200 varieties. Some of the more common ones are:

Treatment

Treatments can be broadly categorised into three categories: Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery. The treatment methods usually depends on the type of cancer growth, stage till which the disease has progressed and the location of the cancer.

Several alternative therapists also claim that they can cure cancer:

Cancer and India

Inspirational stories

Despite whatever you’ve heard the disease is very beatable. Here are some common cancer myths debunked . Also read these inspirational stories about the survivors who defied the odds:

Preventing cancer

While it’s true that there are many uncontrollable factors that cause cancers like the environment or genetics there are majority of other lifestyle choices like tobacco-use, smoking, drinking, obesity, etc. that causes cancer.

So let us make sure that we drill in the message that cancer like any other disease is preventable and treatable. Stay aware, stay alive. The War on Cancer must be won. There can be no other outcome!

In India, more women have cancer than men

Ankita Chakrabarty — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:30:10 +0000

Disease affliction is said to be gender neutral but not when it comes to cancer in India. Women outnumber men when it comes to being afflicted with the dreaded disease while 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 in India makes it a double whammy for the weaker section. However, the situation in advanced countries like USA, men are the weaker sex when it comes to cancer incidence.

According to the Population Based Cancer Registry functioning under the National Cancer Registry Programme of Indian Council of Medical Research, in the year 2011, 5, 54,234 female cases of cancer were reported as against 4, 90,008 cases of cancer for men.

Detailing the reasons behind the rise of fatal cancer 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 cancer. The common risk factors associated with breast cancer in women are increasing age, family history and early puberty.’

In a detailed state wise analysis, Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra and Bihar have recorded maximum number of incidence of cancer in 2011. Uttar Pradesh recorded 1, 71,369 incidence of cancer followed by Maharashtra at 96,890 and Bihar at 89,030 cases 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 the doctors are the main reasons behind the rise in cancer cases in these states. Also, hospitals in these states lack proper infrastructure facilities which also 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 percent), stomach (12.6 percent]), and lung (including trachea and larynx (11.4 percent) in men, and cervical (17.1 percent), stomach (14.1 percent) and breast (10.2 percent) in women.

‘If a woman above the age of 35 years gives birth to her first child, her risk of getting breast cancer doubles,’ warned Dr Sarin at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

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 at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, added, ‘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 ident0ifying the cancer at an early stage and can help in checking the cancerous growth,’ suggested Dr Kumar at Fortis Hospital, Noida.

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 Rupees one lakh per patient is available for chemotherapy drugs to treat 100 Cancer patients per district

Emphasizing the government policies in place, Dr Rakshak at Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi 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.’

Also read: War on Cancer

Cancer research and treatment gets a Rs 250 cr boost at Tata Medical Center

India.com Health — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:17:29 +0000

The 167-bedded Tata Medical Center – a high-tech centre for cancer research and treatment – is planning to spend nearly Rs.250 crore to expand its facility, including setting up a modern research centre.

“By 2014 we want to expand this facility. We will have a Phase II building and a state of the art research institute. We plan to increase the number of beds because right now in the phase I facility we have 90 percent occupancy,” said Mammen Chandy, director of Tata Medical Center.

“The research centre will cost around Rs.100 crore, whereas the phase II facility will come up for Rs.150 crore. The construction will start as soon as plans are approved and Mr (Ratan) Tata gives the nod. The research centre will be known as Tata Transitional Research Center. In the phase II facility there will be high-tech Gastro Intestinal Surgery center,” he said.

The Tata Medical Center (TMC) was inaugurated on May 16, 2011, by Ratan Tata. It is a humanitarian initiative aimed specifically at helping cancer patients from the east and northeast of India and also from Bangladesh.

Nearly 50 percent of the beds are reserved for poor and underprivileged, who either get free treatment or are charged at subsidised rates.

Source:IANS