Dr. V.P. Gangadharan, well known Medical and Paediatric Oncologist and former head of Oncology Department of Regional Cancer Research Centre, Thiruvanathapuram, has said that on “every day 100 new cases of cancer are detected in Kerala” registering a five per cent increase in cancer patients.
Speaking at a workshop on `Cancer is curable’ at Sree Kurumba Trust at Moolamcode near Vadakkumcherry on Friday he said that 9 lakh new cases of cancer are detected and 3 to 3.5 lakh people die due to cancer in the country every year.
He said that there is no age difference in getting affected by cancer.
Thirty two per cent of lung cancer is found in male and 28 per cent in head and neck. Among women 34 per cent are breast cancer cases.
He said that 30 to 50 per cent of cancer cases are related to tobacco. Drinking and diet are other major reasons. Tobacco smoking is the cause of 90 per cent of cancer cases.
Six lakh passive smokers are affected by cancer, Dr. Gangadharan has said.
He said that “to save Kerala from cancer its excessive consumption of liquor and tobacco has to be completely stopped.”
The workshop was inaugurated by former Health Minister V.C. Kabeer.
