Combating the Cancer Burden in Kashmir
Once, Cancer was considered a rare disease in Kashmir, but today, it has become an alarming
health issue. Nowadays, hospitals are full of increasing cases related to cancers of the esophagus, lungs, breast cancers, and intestinal cancers, among others. These days, breast cancer has become a prime health risk of women in this society. Most of them get diagnosed at very late stages due to ignorance, societal stigmas, unawareness about symptoms.
These emerging cases as stated are blended closely from the lifelines of the people of this area in their way of life, food, and environment. It is traditional food habits that link excessive intake of salted tea (noon chai), pickled foods, and dry fish to increased cancer risk by virtue of their nitrosamines. Besides, these newer modalities of processed and fast foods aggravate the existing threat. One of the most important issues adjoined to the environmental aspect that the modernization brings to the city: with increased vehicular emissions and careless attitude of the industries, worsening conditions of air and water pollution make life intolerable in such regions.
These pollutants in fine particulate matters are associated with an increase in lung cancers. The pesticide use in apple orchards and paddy fields is raising alarms on the ecosystem and its contribution to the head of chemical residues in food and, later, in water sources that are well-known carcinogens.
Breast cancer is less linked to environmental factors and primarily relies on lifestyle and preventive health factors. Direct lifestyle risk factors causing this threat are obesity, contraceptive use, old age marriages, and infertility-specialties in Kashmir. When social systems stigmatize women from seeking help, and rural ends become deficient in diagnostic means, the possibility that intervention could occur becomes lower. Very little is done about self-examination and regular screening activities, thus leaving a humongous gap in early detection.The region has to prioritize itself in the control of industrial emission monitoring of pesticides and quality improvement of water resources for reducing environmental carcinogens. Use of tobacco is still a major public concern especially smoking and chewing tobacco products among men, which is still among the main causes of lung cancer and oral cancers. The practice of raising awareness on the early symptoms of cancer has not been incorporated into regular health check-ups hence most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages significantly reducing chances of successful treatment.
Increased incidences of cancer have already begun to show the burden upon the Kashmiri
families. Extremely costly and prolongedly treated are cancer patients as a rule, thus imposing a heavy financial burden upon families, especially on those who belong to poorer sections of the society. Yet, treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, is made available free of cost at all governmental hospitals in Kashmir. However, the awareness of such facilities remains low among a wider section of the population. Government has to initiate awareness campaigns in order to bring the free treatment options to people and thus ensure better outreach. Really it is much more regrettable in the emotional aspect because families quite often expect the worst and would put their future at stake. But they actually have very good prospects if action is taken immediately. For people to be willing to take action on this danger as it relates to cancer, they must first acquire sensitization regarding cancer. Major lifestyle changes also need to be taken into account. It would really help if there were regular screening camps in urban and rural areas to help detect diseases in their earlier phases, thus improving the prognosis. Strengthening healthcare-provisioning in hospitals with oncology departments, while making cancer care affordable, are priorities in advancement.
Breast cancer awareness should promote regular check-ups, identification of early symptoms, and breaking the taboos of women's health in society. Also, healthy eating, limiting smoking, and promoting physical activity can lower cancer risk as well.
Cancer in Kashmir is not a medical issue alone, but a problem of society, which demands collective action. To fight this alarming trend, awareness, stronger and better healthcare, and commitment to combating environmental, societal, and lifestyle issues could work wonders. Indeed, fighting for a healthy lifestyle in Kashmir is very challenging, but the right approach will help work towards a healthier future for the Valley.
Hudaiba Jeelani, Doctorate Scholar, Department of Economics, IUST and Dr. Wajahat Ahmad, MD, Oncologist, SMHS Hospital
