Cancer fast spreading its roots in Punjab: Report

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The Atlas shows that Ludhiana district had the highest number of cases at 5,824 while the lowest was recorded in Tarn Taran with 523 cases. Jalandhar and Bhatinda recorded 3,625 and 3,099 cancer cases during the two years. According to the report, the number of cancer cases in Faridkot was 1,167, Mohali 1,902, Sangrur 2,224, Amritsar 2,703, Firozpur + Fazilka 1,849; Gurdaspur + Pathankot 1,692, SBS Nagar 622, Barnala 620, Moga1,121, Fatehgarh Sahib 688, Rupnagar 835, Muktsar 1,201, Mansa 1,258 and Kapurthala 835. There were 101 cases which have been listed in other’s/ district unknown.

It states that the main objective of the first report “in which modern electronic information technology, was conceived, to collate and process relevant data on cancer,” was to obtain an overview of pattern of the disease in the state and to calculate estimates cancer incidence “wherever feasible.” About how the data was collected, the report said all medical colleges pathology labs, civil hospitals and individual oncologists throughout the state were contacted for their interest to collaborate in the project.

The report which has provided data about district, centre and site wise has pointed out that in six districts (Bathinda, Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Faridkot and Mansa) men had high incidence rates. Oesophageal cancer in males and females was an important leading cancer site in many districts and was one of the five leading cancer sites in females.

The report has given a district wise cancer types as well which were recorded during that particular period. In Ludhiana among the men the highest cases of cancer which were recorded were Prostate, followed by esophagus. Among the women, the highest number of cases were of breast cancer followed by cervix uteri. Prostate cancer and breast cancers were the highest among the men and women in Jalandhar and Bhatinda districts as well.

In Mohali, the report said, among the men the highest cases of cancer were lung, while women were most affected by breast cancer.

Reacting to the report, Vini Mahajan,Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Punjab told The Indian Express that the department has stepping up the screening programme across the state so that the cancers are “caught early and then treated”. “We have five best treatment facilities in government sector so that people can get best treatment,” she said. “We are also creating awareness among the people to exercise so that cancer can be prevented.