Almost for a year, most people forgot the original deadly ‘C’ – Cancer, because the new ‘C’ – Corona, was unknown, spreading rapidly and had no cure.
Cancer data comes in late. In the 12 months of 2018, Cancer killed four times more people in India, than Corona killed in the 8 months of 2020. Infact, deaths due to Cancer in 2020 would be much more because of lack of diagnostic and treatment facilities for cancer patients during the Corona ‘kaal’. Cancers are of many different types, each having different causes of origin, diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities, hence a simple review of Cancer is impossible. Most Cancers occur late in life. Since the average expectancy of life keeps increasing every year, so do the number of Cancers. Increasing pollution (air, water and soil) and penetration of microplastics in humans is adding to the risk factors.
FIRST SOME GOOD NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD
Deaths due to Cancer in the US have declined by over 30% in the last 26 years (1991- 2017). This is mainly because of these three factors:
- Reduction in smoking leading to massive reduction in lung cancer.
- Increase in public awareness, their early reporting, leading to early detection of Cancers and better treatment outcomes.
- Newer diagnostic methods of early detection of Cancers and better treatment options like targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell treatment focused radiotherapy and some others.
But this is where the good news ends. There is No decline in the number of new casesof Cancers detected in US.
NEWS FROM INDIA
Disease reporting in India was limited to a few communicable diseases like Smallpox, Malaria, Tuberculosis and few others for which national programmes for control or eradication were in existence. Cancer reporting was non existent. Registration of cause of deaths still remains quite primitive, especially in the rural areas. Hence accurate data of Cancers was not there. Six decades after independence, a national programme was launched in 100 districts for diagnosing, treating/ referring cases of non-communicable diseases. The diseases are Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke. Data collected from these 100 districts and government hospitals is extrapolated to arrive at estimates for these diseases. Data for Cancers in 2016 – New cases – 106/ lakh population, and for 2018 – 258/ lakh population. World Health Organisation revealed that in 2016 there was a total of 11.6 lakh cases ( old and new) of Cancers in India with around little 6 lakh deaths. By the year 2018, the total number of cases had increased to 30 lakhs and deaths to over 7 lakh 80 thousand.
COMMON CANCERS DETECTED IN INDIA
There are over a hundred different types of Cancers in India. Oral and Lung Cancers are common in males whereas Breast and Cervix (neck of womb) Cancers are common in females. Colo- rectal and Stomach Cancers are other two common Cancers, in both sexes. Together, these six Cancers contribute about 50% of all Cancer cases in India.
CAUSES OF COMMON CANCERS IN INDIA
Chewing tobacco is the cause of Oral Cancers and smoking is the cause of Lung Cancers. Human Papilloma Virus causes Cancer of Cervix. It occurs mostly in women who have poor personal hygiene. Causes of the other common Cancers is not clear even though lack of breast feeding is a risk factor for Breast Cancer. Other risk factors for Breast Cancer and also of Colorectal and Stomach Cancer are obesity, sedentary life style and high fat diet. It is speculated that with better economy and more purchasing power in the hands of Indians, there have been changes in lifestyle. People have become sedentary and are consuming more fats leading to Cancers.
POINTS TO PONDER
If the causes and risk factors of many common Cancers are well known, can these not be prevented? With early diagnosis and better quality treatment in the US, if cancer deaths can be reduced to a great extent, can these be reduced in our country? Would like to discuss it further, with your inputs, next week.
NOTE. This article is not a scientific treatise. It is for the information of common citizens. An attempt is being made to spread awareness and motivation for lifestyle changes to prevent Cancers.
Maj Gen Krishan Chauhan is a second-generation army officer. He studied in Sainik School Kapurthala, graduated from IG Medical College, Shimla and did his MD from AFMC/Pune University. He has served in the Army Medical Corps for 36 years and retired as the Addl DGMS army. He is an avid marathon runner and a writer. He first wrote articles for children in The Young Chronicles. Later, he started writing his own blog as Genkris, on WordPress where over 25 articles on various subjects can be accessed.
