Ziqitza Healthcare Limited observes Cancer Trends in India

WCD is celebrated every year on the 4th of February all over the world to commemorate all the accomplishments of the WHO.  And we at Ziqitza Healthcare Limited believes to raise alertness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment that help saves more life.

Dr. Santosh Datar from Ziqitza Healthcare Limited remarked, “Cancer was cure-less disease few years ago and many people died due to this disease. Many years of research resulted in the introduction of some treatment methods for cancer. For example, chemotherapy is a very painful procedure of cancer treatment and radiotherapy is the use of radioactive rays to kill cancer cells. Still, this disease is an international issue, doctors and scientists are trying to find its ultimate solution.

About the Disease

Cancer is the name given to a large group of diseases, all of which have one thing in common: cells that are growing out of control. Normally, the cells that are building blocks of our body go through a predictable life cycle -- old cells die, and new cells form to take their place. Dr. Datar from Ziqiza based on research papers remarked that occasionally, this process goes awry, and cells begin to multiply out of control to form a tumor.The tumor may spread to other parts of the body. Early diagnosis and treatment  have better chances of cure or long-term remission.Apart from the pain and misery cancer inflicts on the patient, as well her/his family, the economic impact of this disease is catastrophic. 

Situation in World

As per World Health Organization (W.H.O.), Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer and is responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths highlighted by Dr. Santosh Datar of Ziqitza Healthcare Limited. 

Situation in India

In India, more than 11 lakh new cases of cancer are registered annually. Cancer is responsible for death of about 7.8  lakh people in 2018. Out of this, Tobacco (smoked and smokeless) use accounted for 3,17,928 deaths (approx) in men and women in 2018. The cancer toll in developing countries, including India, is high becausemany cases are detected late and report for treatment in very advanced stages as remarked by Dr. Datar from Ziqitza. 

National Cancer Registry Report for 2020 was published by Indian Council of Medical Research. Some of the key findings from the report are given below :-

• Cancer of lung, mouth, stomach and esophagus were the most common cancers in men. 
• Cancer of breast and cervix uteri were the most common cancers in women. 
• Tobacco related cancers are estimated to constitute 27% of all cancers in India.
• The highest incidence of cancer in India was observed in the north eastern region. 
  • The highest burden of cancer breast was observed in metro cities. 
  • Cancer thyroid incidence rate is on the rise 
  • Leukemias and Lymphomas were the most common types of childhood cancers. 
  • There is a rise in the trend of incidence of cancer breast, while cancer cervix uteri is on the decline. 
  • Cancer burden is estimated to increase to 1.57 million by 2025 in India from 1.39 in 2020. 

Cancer Care in India

At present, 234 centers having facilities to treat cancer are members of National Cancer Grid(NCG). NCG The is a network of major cancer centers, research institutes, patient groups and N.G.O.s across India. Its aim is to establish uniform standards of cancer treatment, provide specialized training and education and facilitative collaborative research in cancer.

Dr. Datar from Ziqitza spoke about the National Cancer Control Programme launched by the Indian Government in 1975 and revised its strategies in 1984-85 stressing on primary prevention and early detection of cancer. Ziqitza Rajasthan and in other states had also closely worked with Asha Workers at Block level to educate women to reduce tobacco consumption in family and avoid life style which lead to increasing risk of cancers.