Three people dying in cancer in Tripura every day

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

Agartala, February 4: Number of Cancer patients are increasing alarmingly in Tripura as nearly three persons are dying every day. Dr Pradip Bhowmik, president of the Hepatitis Foundation of Tripura who along with the Regiol Cancer Centre and the Indian Medical

Association is running an awareness campaign said as per hospital records 996 people died in cancer in 2014. He was talking to the reporters as the world is observing the day as Cancer Day.

He said what is most worrying is the growing cases of cancer and number of death. In the previous years number of death was 915 in 2013, 916 in 2012, 819 in 2011 and 676 in 2010. He said the number of patients reporting to the regiol cancer centre, Agartala also increasing alarmingly. This was 2258 in 2015, 2163 in 2014, 2080 in 2013, 1878 in 2012, 1729 in 2011 and 1724 in 2010.

According to a survey conducted by the Regiol Cancer Centre maximum number of male patients are suffering from Lung Cancer (17.4%) followed by neck (6.9%), stomach (6.3%) and mouth (5.9%). In case of female patients Cervix is the most prone to cancer (15%) followed by breast (14.3%), Gall bladder (9.4%) etc.

Dr Bhowmik said most of these diesis can be prevented through awareness and the three organisations are campaigning among the people with the slogan that ‘We can, I can”. He said hepatitis B is the biggest cause of liver cancer and it can be prevented if vaccine is taken on time. Similarly cervix cancer can be prevented with HPV vaccine. But due to lack of awareness many people are ignoring it.

Meanwhile, the Regiol Cancer Centre, Agartala has been upgraded to give proper treatment to the patients. Recently the central government has sanctioned an additiol Rs 120 crore for further up gradation of the centre. It is being done in consultation with the Atomic Energy Department, Government of India and the Tata Trust.