Dimapur, Jun 1 : Unaware in the public arena, life-threatening cancer forms are quietly increasing in Nagaland and according to reports, over the years, cases have gone up drastically. Although accurate figures are not available, a few prominent hospitals’ records show that numerous and a good number of rare types of cancers have been detected in the past few years.
According to records made available by Zion Hospital, Dimapur, cancer incidences in that hospital have gone up from 141 confirmed cases in 2006 to 161cases in 2007 and in 2008, within a span of just five months 97 cases have been confirmed. That is a quantum leap of 12.42% from 2006 to 2007 and 17.05 % of average within 2008’s first five months’ report. Stomach cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among Nagas, it is found.And this is attributed to ethnic food habits. Dr. Moatoshi Aier a Pathologist at Zion Hospital stated that smoked food stuff like meat, bamboo-shoot and fermented food contribute to highest risk of stomach cancer formation. Zion Hospital records show 36 cases of stomach cancer in 2006, 47 cases in 2007 and from January to May 2008 show already 30 confirmed cases.
A doctor in Bethel Hospital Kohima said that a deadly virus in smoked meat and moldy (rotten or decomposed) food, a delicacy for some Naga tribes is known to cause cancer. Dr. Lima, a Radiologist based in Guwahati said that he gets an average of about 10 cancer cases a month among Nagas. He however confirmed that the numbers could be much higher as patients are treated in various other departments according to the type of the cancer.
Esophagus cancer is also very common among Nagas. The primary cause of this type is the use of tobacco and alcohol. Zion Hospital recorded this type of cancer as second highest with a rise in about 6% since 2006. Bethel Hospital also sees many cases of stomach cancer. The hospital over the years has also more commonly detected cancer of the ENT among its patients and records an average of 10 to 15 new cases a month. Although esophageal cancer and cancer of the ENT can be genetic, it is observed that in both cases most are acquired due to tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Among women, cervical and breast cancers are increasing. Zion Hospital’s records show four cases of breast cancer from January to May this year. The fine cause of breast cancer is hereditary but surprisingly 85% of patients do not report a history of breast cancer in the family, doctors say. On the other hand, cervix cancers although gradually on the rise, doctors say most Naga women don’t even get a Pap Smear (a test to detect Cervix cancer) done. Married women and sexually-active women require at least two Pap Smear tests a year, they added. Rare types of cancers like ‘soft tissue,’ ‘brain’ and ‘duodenum,’ have also been detected among Nagas. Thyroid, leukemia, lung and lymph node metastasis cancers are also common.
Dr. Moatoshi, a Pathologist at Zion Hospital said once a person starts experiencing manifestations like feeling of weakness, drastic weight loss or appearance of lumps in various parts of the body, the person should be immediately checked.
With the rise in the number of cancer patients in Nagaland, leaving out unavailable figures, it is evident that the government needs to promptly address this issue through campaigns and awareness. It is a common opinion that HIV/AIDS and TB are some of the diseases that draws major attention but doctors say that it is high time the government shift focus on other life threatening diseases like cancer as well. A doctor based in Kohima said that issues regarding causes that lead to cancer, imparting awareness on dangers of certain ethnic food should be a part of the government’s agenda. He lamented that with the increase in population and growing awareness about health care, cancer diagnosis will rise added to which many doctors feel that government should give importance to cancer.
MEXN
According to records made available by Zion Hospital, Dimapur, cancer incidences in that hospital have gone up from 141 confirmed cases in 2006 to 161cases in 2007 and in 2008, within a span of just five months 97 cases have been confirmed. That is a quantum leap of 12.42% from 2006 to 2007 and 17.05 % of average within 2008’s first five months’ report. Stomach cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among Nagas, it is found.And this is attributed to ethnic food habits. Dr. Moatoshi Aier a Pathologist at Zion Hospital stated that smoked food stuff like meat, bamboo-shoot and fermented food contribute to highest risk of stomach cancer formation. Zion Hospital records show 36 cases of stomach cancer in 2006, 47 cases in 2007 and from January to May 2008 show already 30 confirmed cases.
A doctor in Bethel Hospital Kohima said that a deadly virus in smoked meat and moldy (rotten or decomposed) food, a delicacy for some Naga tribes is known to cause cancer. Dr. Lima, a Radiologist based in Guwahati said that he gets an average of about 10 cancer cases a month among Nagas. He however confirmed that the numbers could be much higher as patients are treated in various other departments according to the type of the cancer.
Esophagus cancer is also very common among Nagas. The primary cause of this type is the use of tobacco and alcohol. Zion Hospital recorded this type of cancer as second highest with a rise in about 6% since 2006. Bethel Hospital also sees many cases of stomach cancer. The hospital over the years has also more commonly detected cancer of the ENT among its patients and records an average of 10 to 15 new cases a month. Although esophageal cancer and cancer of the ENT can be genetic, it is observed that in both cases most are acquired due to tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Among women, cervical and breast cancers are increasing. Zion Hospital’s records show four cases of breast cancer from January to May this year. The fine cause of breast cancer is hereditary but surprisingly 85% of patients do not report a history of breast cancer in the family, doctors say. On the other hand, cervix cancers although gradually on the rise, doctors say most Naga women don’t even get a Pap Smear (a test to detect Cervix cancer) done. Married women and sexually-active women require at least two Pap Smear tests a year, they added. Rare types of cancers like ‘soft tissue,’ ‘brain’ and ‘duodenum,’ have also been detected among Nagas. Thyroid, leukemia, lung and lymph node metastasis cancers are also common.
Dr. Moatoshi, a Pathologist at Zion Hospital said once a person starts experiencing manifestations like feeling of weakness, drastic weight loss or appearance of lumps in various parts of the body, the person should be immediately checked.
With the rise in the number of cancer patients in Nagaland, leaving out unavailable figures, it is evident that the government needs to promptly address this issue through campaigns and awareness. It is a common opinion that HIV/AIDS and TB are some of the diseases that draws major attention but doctors say that it is high time the government shift focus on other life threatening diseases like cancer as well. A doctor based in Kohima said that issues regarding causes that lead to cancer, imparting awareness on dangers of certain ethnic food should be a part of the government’s agenda. He lamented that with the increase in population and growing awareness about health care, cancer diagnosis will rise added to which many doctors feel that government should give importance to cancer.
MEXN
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