On occasion of World Cancer Day, February 4 to reduce the impact of cancer on individuals, families and communities, Indus Health Plus launched an Abnormality Report on Cancer. The sample size for the study was 23,145 people who underwent preventive health check-up during January – December 2015.
The report states that over the last 2 years the cancer risk is increasing among people in middle and younger age group by 12 %. Population between the age group of 35 – 40 years are at risk of developing various cancers. 15 % of younger population in the age group of 25-30 years are at higher risk of oral and lung cancer due to smoking. 8 – 10 % of male are at risk of head and neck cancer. Chewing tobacco has increased the risk of Head and Neck cancer among urban and semi – urban population by 13 – 15%. 5 – 7 % of male and female are at equal of lung cancer. 10-14% of population are under the risk of abdomen and stomach cancer because of rising incidences of obesity in city. The abnormality report indicates that most of the cases are a result of negligence towards one’s health & lack of knowledge about the disease.
Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist and JMD Indus Health Plus said, “Head and Neck cancer, intestinal and lung cancer are common among male. The incidences of breast cancer are high among females from urban region and cervical cancer is rising among rural population. As per WHO statistics 30% of cancer could be prevented if there is early screening. Government and private players should introduce strategies and programmes to educate people about signs, symptoms and early diagnosis which will improve survival from cancer and empowering individual to adopt healthy choices.”
Dr. Tushar Patil, Medical Oncologist, Sahyadri Hospital says, “ Changing lifestyle, biological cycle, prone to pollution, coming in contact with chemicals has given rise to the cancer cases especially amongst those in their late 40s.Healthy diet, maintaining healthy weight and keeping physically active can help reducing the cancer burden. Preventive check-up and early detection also helps in effective treatment and also increases life expectancy”.
20 % women are at higher risk of breast cancer followed by cervical cancer. Ovarian cancer, colon cancers are also increasing in females. 20-22% of females in the age of 35-40 years from urban parts of the city did not encourage breast feeding and hence were under the risk of breast cancer. With 24.22 % detected with abdomen abnormality amongst men, 12 – 15% of them are under the risk of prostate cancer and most of them were unaware about the symptoms of prostate cancer.
Wrong eating habits, settling for junk, increasing cases of obesity and heavy smoking especially amongst females has given rise to the cases. Increase in number of diabetes and heart problem too has given an increase in the chances of suffering from various cancers both amongst men and women. A high percentage of 20% were not aware about the silent symptoms of cancer.
In India, cancer is more common in male as compared to females. The male female ratio is 2:1. Close to 12 lakh new cases of cancer are reported every year in India. Unusual weight loss, low hemoglobin, blood in urine, skin changes etc. are the common signs and symptoms of cancer which people should not ignore.
