Approximately 50-60 cent of the cancers in Kerala can be detected and treated early and a good number, cured, if only people pay attention to the warning signals and follow a wellness lifestyle, V.P. Gangadharan, the head of Medical and Paediatric Oncology, Lakeshore Hospital, said.
Unlike in the earlier days when cancer spelled doom, today, cancer patients were winning the war against cancer and leading full lives, he said. Dr. Gangadharan was addressing a cancer awareness programme organised for the employees of Kerala Legislative Assembly here on Thursday.
Among male cancer patients in Kerala, 32 per cent have lung cancer and 28 per cent, head and neck cancers. Among women patients, 34 per cent had breast cancer and 20 per cent, cancer of the uterine cervix. Generally, prostate cancer, colorectal and thyroid cancers are on the rise in Kerala.
Not just cancers of the breast/head and neck/cervix, those of colorectal and prostate too could be detected early. This meant that 60 per cent of cancers among males and over 50 per cent of cancers among women in the State were treatable if detected early. Tobacco was responsible for 90 per cent of lung cancers as well as some 30-40 per cent of general cancers, he said. Total tobacco ban was thus the single-most public health intervention which could have a major impact on the cancer scenario, anywhere in the world. Dr. Gangadharan said that today one in three women coming to the OP clinic were being diagnosed with breast cancer. According to a projection by NCRP-ICMR, Kerala could have 8,500 cases every year by 2030.
Breast cancer increase is clearly linked to lifestyle – obesity, lack of physical activity and a diet which was predominantly meat-based and less in plant foods and dietary fibre. “A woman should realise that she stands a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. Regular self examination is the best way to detect breast cancer early,” he said.
Portable machines
In almost all major cancer treatment centres in India, less than 15 per cent of breast cancer cases were being detected at a stage when it is treatable. In RCC, it was 22.3 per cent. Dr. Gangadharan suggested that the government invest in 10 or 12 portable mammogram machines so that breast cancer screening can be taken to the doorsteps of women across the State and innumerable lives saved.
Doctor says 60 per cent of cancers among males and over 50 per cent of cancers among women in the State are treatable if detected early.
