By Arshid Hussain
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide while the cases of the disease are also exponentially increasing in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir is the geographical region where esophageal, gastric and lung cancers have a high incidence rate both among men and women. Two important risk factors, contributing to this prevalence are increased consumption of salted tea and hookah/ tobacco smoking, Every year there is a marked increase in the number of cancer patients registered in the valley’s premiere tertiary care institute, SKIMS, where increasing number of cancer patients, especially from poor backgrounds, continue to pour in for treatment.
Sounding alarm bells, leading oncologists caution that cancer has become the number one killer disease in Kashmir and that there’s high need for increased quality cancer awareness and treatment facilities to ease the sufferings of rising cancer patients in the valley. Going beyond the statistics, the ten leading types of cancers based on sites are esophagus and GE Junctional, lung, stomach, colorectal, skin, laryngopharyngeal, brain cancers, acute leukemias, lymphomas, specifically including prostate and brain cancers in males and breast, ovarian and gallbladder cancers in female. Esophagus and stomach cancers alone constituted over 27% of the total cancers. Gastrointestinal malignancies are the commonest malignancies in Kashmir valley followed by lung cancer in males and breast cancer in females.
Cancer has no single cause. It is complex, just like diabetes and heart disease. The rise in cancer cases can be attributed to several factors. Adoption of poor food habits, unhealthy lifestyle, longer working hours, smoking, use of alcohol, use of contraceptives, constipation, and lack of exercise are some of them, another significant reason for the rise in cancer incidence is the lack of proper cancer screening facilities, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Regular screening and early diagnosis can play a major role in fighting the fatal disease.
Kashmir is witnessing a surge in the rate of thyroid cancer patients. However, if detected early, chances of survival of such patients are more compared to patients suffering with other types of cancers. In order to curb the cancer rate, we must change our way of life, that is, we must let go of a sedentary lifestyle. Other changes may include a complete ban on smoking, increased intake of fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin A and vitamin C. Cooking and dietary systems must be revised, and we must cut down on salt tea.
Moreover, never drink hot tea. Besides that, ripening agents must be banned and colouring agents must be avoided or used under limits. In addition to reducing the risk of developing cancer, the risk of developing heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases might also be prevented by eating more fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are all cruciferous vegetables. This vegetable family contains powerful phytochemicals, including carotenoids, indoles and glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which have been studied and proved to slow the growth of many cancers. So, adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat more Fruits and vegetables in order to protect yourself from cancer.
- Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
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