In an alarming scenario, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented 87 percent rise in cancer cases during last 7 years, government figures reveal.
SRINAGAR, (Pakistan Point News - 05th Feb, 2018) : In an alarming scenario, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented 87 percent rise in cancer cases during last 7 years, government figures reveal. As government on the floor of the house has admitted rise in cancer cases, the official figures further corroborate year-on-year increase in detection of dreadful disease in the state. According to official figures accessed by Greater Kashmir, cancer cases in 2017 were recorded as 5731 which is 87 percent higher than the cases recorded 7 years ago in 2011 when 3057 such cases were witnessed.
Further, the official data reveals a disturbing trend of year-on-year increase in percent of cancer cases in the state. In 2011, 3057 cases were detected in Kashmir, which increased to 3288, thus an increase of 7 percent in comparison to last year. In 2013, cancer cases recorded were 3157 which was the only when the number of cancer cases recorded was lesser than corresponding year. In 2014, the number of cancer increased by 24 percent to 3940.
The tally of cancer patients was recorded at 4275 cases in 2015, thus it rose by 8 percent in comparison to the previous year 2014. In 2016, 4976 cancer cases were recorded, which put the increase in percentage of cases from previous year at 17 percent. The overall increase in cancer cases work out at an alarming 87 percent from 2011 to 2017. Similarly, 28,424 cancer patients have registered with government hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir in the last seven year.
The government, in an official communiqué, has admitted that cancer cases are on rise in Kashmir. “Tobacco is one of the major risk factor for majority of cancers and is probably leading to increase in the number of patients. Poor personal hygiene, unsanitary living conditions and low immunity are related with few cancers like cancer of cervix. “The consumption of adulterated food, fruits and vegetables laden with pesticides and environmental pollutions are also a major risk factor,” the official document reveals.
“Many cancers like breast and colon are increasing due to change in lifestyle, late age at first child birth, obesity, fatty diet lower in fiber, increase consumption of red meat and sedentary contribution to it,” it added. It may be recalled that the minister for health has stated that radiotherapy treatment was being delivered free of cost as per government policy. Poor patients, falling under the income group of less than Rs 20,000 per month, are given financial assistance under the cancer treatment management fund, he said. He had stated PET-CT facility has been made operational from January 7 and so far 20 procedures have been done with effect from January 15.
