Cancer cases on rise in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed over 26,000 cases of cancer in last five years with lung cancer being the most prevalent due to smoking, the Legislative Assembly was informed today.
"It is a fact that there has been an increase in the number of cancer patients in the state from last five years. 4556 cases of cancer were reported in year 2011, 4848 in 2012, 5068 in 2013, 5568 in 2014 and 6358 in 2015," Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat said in reply to a question by PDP MLC Firdous Tak in Legislative Council here.
He said the summer capital Srinagar reported 898 cancer cases in 2015, the highest in any district of the state, while the winter capital Jammu witnessed 853 such cases.

Giving details of other districts, the minister said that in the same year 283 cases were reported from Ganderbal, 452 in Budgam, 451 in Pulwama, 573 in Baramulla, 263 in Kulgam, 489 in Anantnag, 169 in Shopian, 168 in Bandipora, 273 in Kupwara, 205 in Rajouri, 139 in Doda, 172 in Ramban, 118 in Udhampur, 265 in Kathua, 169 in Samba, 113 in Kishtwar, 117 in Reasi and 126 in Poonch.
"The lowest number of cases has been reported in Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region where it stands at 62," Bhagat said.
He said the lung cancer, throat cancer, gastro-internal cancer and lymphomain have been found dominant among males, while in females it was cervical cancer, breast cancer, throat cancer, gastro-internal cancer and lung cancer.

"Lung cancer has become the most prominent cancer in the state as the prevalence of the smoking has gone up," he said.

Bhagat said the diagnostic facilities and consultation are
provided at reasonable costs to patients and in cases of BPL special concession is being provided by the hospitals on merit basis.
"Every effort is being made by the Government to help the cancer patients living below poverty line and such patients are being given free investigation, and essential drugs are being kept available in hospitals," he said, adding the radiotherapy treatment is provided free of cost.
The Minister said Union Health and Family Welfare has sanctioned two State Cancer Institute's each at Government Medical College Jammu and SKIMS Srinagar at a cost of Rs 120 crore each.

"Besides, three tertiary cancer care centres are also being sanctioned by Government of India for Kupwara, Kishtwar and Udhampur districts to strengthen the medical facilities for cancer patients ," he added.