Patna, Feb. 12: Down with grade I germ cell cancer, 30-year-old Yuvraj Singh has blessings of the entire nation in his fight against the deadly disease. But 3 lakh cancer patients in Bihar, a few of Yuvraj’s age, are battling it out alone.

Seven-eight per cent of cancer patients in Bihar are under 35. “A number of young people are getting afflicted with the disease in Bihar. Though the number of youths suffering from germ cell cancer is not alarming yet, such cases are being reported frequently,” said Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh, director, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan (MCS).

He said: “Though cervical cancer among women and oral cancer among men top the bill here, germ cell cancers among youths are not exceptions either.” A recent report compiled by the MCS highlights that every year about 75,000-80,000 people in Bihar are getting afflicted with cancer. As the cities and towns in the state lack necessary infrastructure at the grassroots to treat cancer patients, the disease means virtual death sentence for thousands every year.

Explaining what germ cell cancer is, Singh said: “Germ cells are the cells that develop into sperm and eggs. They are mainly found in ovary or testicle. But they can sometimes be in other parts of the body when foetus develops in the womb.”

He added: “Germ cell tumours can develop from these cells. They most often develop in the ovary or testicle, as that is where most germ cells are. But they can develop anywhere there are germ cells. The most common germ cell tumours are teratomas or seminomas of the testicle in men.”

Women can develop ovarian germ cell tumours. Most of them are non-cancerous or benign. But some are cancerous. Only about 1 or 2 per cent of cancers of the ovary are of this type. Teenagers or young women usually suffer from ovarian germ cell tumours. Women in 60s can also suffer from it.

While the root of the disease is unexplained and there is little that can be done to prevent it, what is worrisome is non-availability of affordable treatment facilities.

Only two government hospitals in the state capital have cancer wards — Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences and Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). But resources, infrastructure and trained personnel at these centres are too limited to substantially benefit the needy.

“Cancer’s rise in the state has been alarming. According to the figures of National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research, close to 50,000 people died in the state last year suffering from the disease. It is right that treatment facility for the disease is awfully inadequate in Bihar,” admitted a health department official.

He also pointed out that though government helps some people below poverty line at MCS, a large number of people cannot afford cancer treatment as it is way too expensive.

“Mostly, people die of cancer because of late diagnosis or because they cannot afford the treatment. Many do not even reach the right centre,” said an oncologist associated with PMCH.