Cancer cases may surge in NE region, says study

A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research and Bengaluru based National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research has projected that the number of new cancer cases in the northeastern region is likely to increase to 57,131 by 2025, in comparison to the estimated 50,317 in 2020.

New Delhi: A study conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bengaluru based National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) on Thursday has said that northeastern states have a high burden of cancer.

It said that the probability of developing cancer over a lifetime as high as 2 in every 4 males and 2 in every 6 females in Kamrup urban of Assam.

The report projects that the number of new cancer cases in the northeastern region is likely to increase to 57,131 by 2025, in comparison to the estimated 50,317 in 2020.

These estimates are based on cancer data compiled by 11 population-based cancer registries in all eight states. The report also includes data from seven hospital-based cancer registries in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura form 2012 to 2016.

"The northeast cancer registries have done commendable work. It is pertinent that we preserve the ethnic diversity of the region. The report from ICMR-NCDIR highlights the magnitude of the problem and its diversity in Northeast. The scientific evidences generated from the registries has led to strengthening of health infrastructure in the region and will provide the guidance for future policy decisions," said Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR.

The report stated that the number of cases is higher in males than in female except for Manipur and Sikkim.

Commonly occurring cancers among males were cancer of the oesophagus (13.6 percent) and lung (10.9) percent, while in females, cancer of the breast was the leading site (14.5 percent) followed by that of cervix uteri (12.2 percent).

The highest incidence of cancer in males (269.4 per 100,000 population) was recorded in Aizawal, among females (219.8 per 100,000) in Papumpare in Arunachal Pradesh.

The proportion of tobacco-related cancer was 49.3 percent in males and 22.8 percent in females.

The report further said that among the 8 northeastern states, current tobacco use was highest in Tripura at 64.5 percent and lowest in Sikkim at 17.9 percent.

"Men (59 percent) and women (26.3 percent) from Arunachal Pradesh who were over 15 years of age, consumed higher proportions of alcohol than in other northeastern states," the report said.

Interestingly, Meghalaya had the most households covered with a health insurance scheme or financing scheme (63.5 percent).

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