Dusts from drains and pesticides in vegetables also add to cancer cases

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Lack awareness among the people leads to rise in cancer cases in Assam. According to a report by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of cancer cases detected in the state was 39,787 in 2022, besides the deaths of 23,974 patients due to cancer.

According to sources, one of the prime reasons for the increasing cancer cases in Assam is tobacco use. The rate of tobacco use in the state is 49 percent, compared with 28 percent at the all India level.

According to the director in-charge of B Barooah Cancer Hospital, Srabana Mishra Bhagabaty, around 80 percent of cancer patients from Assam and other states in the region come for treatment at the last stages due to a lack of awareness.

Former Director of B Barooah Cancer Hospital Dr Amal Chandra Kataki said, “The causes of cancer are excessive use of tobacco, alcohol, uncontrolled lifestyle, food habits, pollution etc. The use of tobacco is high in Assam, leading to a rise in cancer cases. The consumption of vegetables grown with the use of pesticides and chemicals also increases the possibility of the occurrence of cancer. Dust particles of drains contain carcinogens, a cancer causing substance. Such particles enter our lungs while we are breathing. It also increases the probability of the occurrence of cancer. Materials and fats used in junk foods to make them tasty lead to obesity, which in turn, leads to the occurrence of cancer.”

The state government took cancer seriously, leading to the establishment of cancer hospitals in collaboration with the Tata Group. Almost all medical colleges in the state have cancer treatment facilities. The lack of detection of cancer at the early stages leads to complications in curing the patients.

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