‘Cancer Figures in NE Higher Than Rest of Country’ Says Dr Harit Chaturvedi

A Correspondent

ITANAGAR: Chairman of Max Institute of Cancer Care, Max Hospital, Saket, Dr Harit Chaturvedi said that the Northeast region is prone to cancer due to the high rate of smoked meat consumption and this can be minimized through effective awareness campaigns at all levels of society. “As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, India had 14 lakh cancer patients in 2016 and this number is expected to increase. While the incidence of new cases is around 125 per lakh in a year in most parts of our country, in the northeastern States it is over 200,” he said.

Dr Harit Chaturvedi while addressing the media here on Thursday said that it is imperative for people to understand that bad lifestyle choices along with consumption of tobacco, alcohol and smoking, doubles the chances of cancer. Hence, it is very important that we make changes in our lifestyle and it is equally important to have an annual health check-up especially for individuals above forty years.

“This will help to diagnose diseases at an early stage, get simpler treatment at lesser cost with much better outcomes,” he added. He also informed that the Max Institute of Cancer Care will soon take up more awareness camps in Itanagar. He said that the institute has already organized an awareness camp in HIM International School, Jollnag and in Tawang and Bomdila districts.

“Though there is no permanent office of the institute in the State, we are planning for it in future,” he said while adding that the institute will soon set up a telemedicine office in the capital to ease access to the need of medicine.

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