By Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Oct 10: The number of cancer patients in the district have increased, disclosed a survey and research report conducted by Malabar Cancer society in a programme held at conference hall of the deputy commissioner, here on Friday, October 10.
In all, 371 people have died of cancer during the last six months in the district.
"Changed food habits, life style, lack of information and use of pesticides in vegetable and food grains are the cause for cancer", said Dr Saina Sunil Kumar, Cancer registration department of Malabar Cancer Society. The information is obtained from the research centres situated in different government and private hospitals and laboratories.
Meanwhile, 925 people have died in Cannanore district and three people have died in Mahe. The survey was done from January 2014 to June 2014. 309 people are suffering from cancer during the last six months in the district, says the research. The research report also states that 921 people are affected in Cannanore and 12 people are affected in Mahe by cancer. However, details of people who are affected by the disease and undergoing treatment in Mangalore or who have died there are not available.
Altogether, 166 men and 143 women are included among those who are suffering from the disease in the district. 56 of them are suffering from lung cancer, 40 from breast cancer, 22 from cancer of the jaws, 15 from stomach cancer, 14 from blood cancer, 14 from tongue cancer, 13 from
cancer of the womb, 10 from Oesophagus cancer and 7 from brain cancer.
Cancer has claimed 31 lives in Kanhangad. Most of the patients have taken shelter in the rehabilitation centre of the district hospital. Medical officials have said that number of cancer patients is likely to increase in future.
The department of health will cooperate with Malabar Cancer Society to obtain complete details of cancer patients in the future.
The survey to identify Cancer patients will continue. The details obtained in a year will be submitted to the government. New projects will be discovered to prevent cancer based on the report. Awareness camps, Identification and treatment camps will be held.
ADM H Dineshan presided over the programme held at conference hall of the deputy commissioner. District medical official P Gopinathan, Dr V P Rajan and Economics and Statistics assistant director Ravindra Paleri participated in the meeting.