Rising Trends of Cancers in Kashmir

We are presenting a  study based on the primary survey. The data has been collected from two districts of Kashmir province i.e., district Ganderbal and district Pulwama. Randomly, three hundred (300) respondents were taken from two selected districts, of which 120 (40 percent) were males and 180(60%) were female respondents. Moreover, Out of the 300 respondents, 150 (50.0 percent) respondents were taken from district Ganderbal in which 52 (34.66 percent) are male and 98 (65.33 percent) are female whereas 150 (50.0 percent) respondents are taken from district Pulwama in which 61(40.66 percent) are male and 89 (59.33 percent) are female respondents. However, the secondary data for the trend analysis was collected from the various reputed medical institutions of the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

Trends of Cancers in J&K: With the deadly cancer disease emerging as a major health threat globally, Kashmir is witnessing an upsurge in the number of cases in the past few years with lung and breast cancers topping the list. The data reveals that around 22,002 persons died due to cancers from 2018 to 2021 in Jammu & Kashmir, of which 6824 (31.01 percent) patients died in 2018 and in 2019 the number of deaths rose to 7003(31.82 percent) and in 2020 the fatalities surged to 7189(32.62 percent), and 986 (4.48 percent) died in 2021, thus showing an upward trend (Source: RCC SKIMS). Moreover, Jammu & Kashmir has reported 39041 cancer cases, of which 12675(32.46 percent) were recorded in 2019, 13012(33.32 percent) in 2020 and 13354 (34.20 percent) in 2021 (Source: Union Health Ministry).

From the other sources, since January 2014 there were 12,091 patients who were detected with cancers in various J&K hospitals while as in 2013, 6,300 patients were detected with the killer disease of cancers. In 2016 till date, more than 9800 cancer patients were registered at SKIMS with the number increasing at an alarming pace. The official data at Regional Cancer Centre, SKIMS revealed that the number of registered patients has jumped from 2097 in 2007 to 4800 in 2016 to 1100 cases of cancers in the first quarter of ensuing year which is expected to go much higher.

The Regional Cancer Centre SKIMS Soura witnessed a heavy rush with nearly 70,000 older cases that doctors call follow-ups, visiting it for various kinds of therapies. The data available with the Regional Cancer Centre SKIMS Soura reveals that cancer patients registered for 2007 were 2,097, in 2008 the number was 2,465, and in 2009, it was 2,968. However; the patient influx recorded a sharp decline in 2010 at 2,623 only but in 2011 it went up again to 3,057. Even as cancer cases in far flung areas go unreported, the 2010 decline has been attributed to the unrest in the valley that year.

The medicos at the Department of Radiation Oncology, SKIMS, Soura, believed that the cancer cases in Kashmir region have witnessed a surge with the prevalence of lung cancer in men folk as the most common disease while women are fast falling prey to breast cancers. Figures revealed that against 2021’s total patient load of 4800, SKIMS Soura received 1110 cancer cases in the first three months (Jan 1 to March 31) of 2022, highest in recent times.

In an alarming trend, every day, two new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Kashmir, while the majority of patients come from the summer capital of Srinagar. This number is constantly adding to the 5000 old cases already suffering from the life consuming ailment in the Valley. Even as the number of cancer cases has been on rise across the UT J&K, Kashmir seems to be bearing the brunt. As per the data collected from government sources, in 2022, 4632 cases of cancer were received by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura and the SMHS Hospital alone. What is more alarming is that most of the cases are detected only when the disease has reached the last stage, meaning that chances of survival through treatment are bleak, or zero.

Summary & Findings: Most respondents believe that the rise in cancer cases in Kashmir is linked to unhealthy lifestyles, including poor dietary habits, smoking, lack of physical activity, and stress. Common causes include high body mass index, tobacco use, and consumption of contaminated food. The introduction of foreign food culture after the 1990s has also contributed to these issues. Smoking-related cancers, such as lung cancer, are on the rise, especially among young people. Raising awareness about these risks is crucial to curbing the increasing cancer trend in Kashmir.

The study emphasizes the need for regular health check-ups and awareness programs to educate people about the dangers of their dietary and lifestyle choices. Efforts should be made to increase awareness using health camps, TV, radio programs, and expert teams equipped with modern technology.

Recommendations: Education and awareness can play a crucial role in controlling cancer, especially in rural areas. Media interventions, school-based cancer education programs, and mobile mammography clinics can help detect and prevent cancer early. NGOs need to get more involved in cancer awareness, screening, and treatment, particularly for those who cannot afford care. Access to affordable cancer treatment is a major issue, as the costs of drugs and diagnosis are often beyond the reach of middle and lower-income families.

Mass media, well-known cancer survivors, and celebrity endorsements can help spread cancer awareness and reduce stigma. There is a need for more organizations like the Cancer Society of Kashmir, which helps underprivileged cancer patients, but more funding and support are essential to make treatment accessible for all.

Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Wani is Research Investigator, Population Research Centre, Srinagar