Cover 8 February 2021 Issue .
Rising cancer cases in Kashmir
News Kashmir Health Bureau
World Cancer Day is observed on 4 February each year. The theme for the year 2021 is ‘I am and I will’.
Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common form of the disease, accounting for nearly 12% of new cases each year worldwide, the World Health Organisation said recently .One million cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed annually in the world. India has a lower incidence as compared to specific areas like Southeast Asia. Certain areas like the Northeastern states and Kashmir have a higher incidence than the rest of India.Kashmir has worryingly enough over the past few decades witnessed an abnormal rise in cancer cases .The summer capital Srinagar has recorded highest number of cancer cases, among all districts of J&K, during the past two years, as per the data available at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
In response to an RTI filed by rights activist and Secretary of J&K Peoples Forum MM Shuja, the hospital administration has revealed that 11,281 new cancers cases were registered at the institute from 2018 until middle 2020.SKIMS, celebrated World Cancer Day at SKIMS auditorium.
On the occasion Scientific program was organized in which experts deliberated on various topics of importance about prevalence, detection, awareness and treatment of various cancers.
While giving comprehensive overview of various cancers prevalent in the UT of J&K, the experts stressed for various preventives measures including early screening , life style modifications , healthy dietary habits etc to contain the disease which is spreading at the alarming rate and is the leading cause of death.
On the eve of World Cancer Day (4th Feb 2021) Cancer Society of Kashmir organized a free Oncology Consultation Camp under the supervision of reputed Oncologists & expert doctors.
A large number of patients who had come from different corners of Kashmir Valley were examined. Poor and deserving patients who are registered with the society were provided free anti-cancer drugs as a matter of routine. Other supportive drugs required for G.I treatments were provided to all patients free of cost.
It is worrying to note that among the Jammu , Ladakh and Kashmir Valley regions the Kashmir Valley has much higher number of cancer cases.Kashmir Valley has recorded the highest number of cancer cases compared to Jammu and Ladakh Union Territory in the last over two years with officials at SKIMS saying that 92 per cent of cancer cases registered with them belong to Kashmir division only.Researchers have revealed that climate change will extract an acute toll worldwide, with rising temperatures, wildfires and poor air quality, accompanied by higher rates of cancer, especially lung, skin and gastrointestinal cancers.
In a study, published in the journal The Lancet Oncology, the researchers provided a synopsis of future effects from global warming on major cancers, from environmental toxins to ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, infectious agents and disruptions in food and water supply.It is hoped Kashmir with proper and healthy life style triumphs cancer soon ..One hopes we would soon witness the valley of Kashmir taking all preventive mechanism to help contain and one day end this menace of rising cancer cases in Kashmir.
