- World Cancer Day-2024: Experts say tobacco consumption has a major role
Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal
The prevalence of breast cancer in women and oral cancer in men is on the rise in Madhya Pradesh on World Cancer Day-2024, with annual increases of 2.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Metropolitan areas are experiencing an even higher surge, with breast cancer cases rising by 4% to 5%, as noted by experts.
According to the cancer registry at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, the city holds the second-highest number of mouth cancer cases in the country. Experts say tobacco consumption is a significant factor, accounting for 50% of all cancers in men in central India, while dietary, reproductive, and sexual practices contribute to 30% of cases.
Encouragingly, cervical cancer among women is declining due to increased awareness about personal hygiene, a high literacy rate, and the availability of vaccines.
In Madhya Pradesh, the reported cancer prevalence rate is 33.9 women per lakh for breast cancer and 25.1 men per lakh for oral cancer (including tongue). Mouth cancer affects 16.3 men per lakh, particularly in the 18 to 19 age group.
Tobacco consumption is a major factor
AIIMS (Bhopal) states that oral, breast, and uterine cervix cancers contribute to over 70% of the cancer burden in India. Tobacco consumption is a significant factor, accounting for 50% of all cancers in men in central India, while dietary, reproductive, and sexual practices contribute to 30% of cases.
Atul Shrivastava, the state nodal officer and investigator at Gandhi Medical College’s cancer registry, mentioned, “Cervical cancer among women stands at 12.1 per lakh, while breast cancer is the highest in the country at 33.9 women per lakh. Bhopal is one of the 18 cancer registry centers in the country, and the World Health Organization relies on data from these centers.”
