Nagaland ranks 1 in colon cancer cases in India
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 4
With the theme, ‘Together We Can Beat Cancer’, the World Cancer Day 2016 was commemorated in Kohima on February 4 at Hotel Japfü. The commemoration was organised by the Cancer society of North East.
Dr. V. Khamo, Principal Investigator, Population Based Cancer Registry, Nagaland spoke on the theme and also highlighted the prevelance of cancer in Nagaland.
During her presentation, she revealed that Kohima has witnessed an increasing prevalence of cancer. According to the PBCR data, cancer rate has increased from 632 in 2012 to 641 in 2014. Making an estimate, Dr Khamo said that each year “more than 600 new cancer cases are registered in Nagaland.”
She informed that Nasophranx cancer or throat cancer tops the list followed by stomach cancer and Oesophageal cancer.
Nagaland ranks 9 in the list of male cancer patients in India and 23 in cancer among women. However the state is ranked 1 in the case of colon cancer.
Dr Khamo called for more awareness programmes, ban on smoking in public places, ban on advertisement of smoking, strong legislation, and strong political will in order to beat cancer.
Today 25 million people are affected globally with cancer and in India 2.5 million lives are affected with cancer. “What is more alarming is that this figure is going to increase by 50 per cent in the next decades,” said Lanuakum Jamir, President, CSNE in his welcome address. He also gave a brief introduction of CSNE which was formed in 2011 by a group of likeminded people aiming to provide holistic support to people afflicted with cancer and provide hope to family members.
Further the high incidence of cancer in the North East was also highlighted. The CSNE hopes to work more towards awareness programs in the remote corners of Nagaland. Rovilatuo Mor, IAS, DC Kohima, who was the Guest of Honor for the event also shared experiences of cancer afflicted relatives and misconceptions of cancer in earlier days. Mor urged society to make an attempt to change mindsets on cancer while also reiterating that it is the responsibility of family members, relatives and loved ones to render proper care and support to cancer patients. This, he said can greatly mitigate the suffering, pain and contribute to the recovery of cancer patients.
A strong and emotional account of surviving cancer was shared by Banuo Z Jamir, IAS, Rtd. Chief Secretary. In her sharing as a Cancer Survivor, Jamir lauded the caregivers who suffer the stress and tension that cancer patients go through. “What I feared the most was not knowing what to expect,” she said and mentioned how cancer has persisted to be a dreaded word and illness in Naga society.
Later, special numbers were presented by Obed Kath from Divine Connection, Menguseü Suokhrie, Chubaienla, and Dance United.
