Long wait ahead

Patna, Feb. 3: Nearly half of the cancer patients in Bihar do not get the right treatment and die silently because of poverty and lack of awareness.

The glaring revelation came out in a data compiled by Mahavir Cancer Sansthan (MCS) — the largest cancer centre in eastern India — on the eve of the World Cancer Day. The report highlighted that every year about 75,000-80,000 people get affected with cancer and a large number of them do not even reach the right hospital or doctors.

“While we get about 24,000-27,000 new cases every year, about 15,000 cancer patients travel to big cities for treatment. The rest either fall in the trap of quacks or do not get any kind of treatment. This is because of poverty and lack of awareness regarding the disease, which will soon emerge as the biggest challenge in the health sector,” said MCS director J.K. Singh.

Singh’s concern is fuelled by a recent National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research, which said 43,864 people have died of the deadly disease from January to November 2011. It also suggested that only Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra had recorded more cancer deaths than Bihar in 2011.

The MCS report read that of the total cancer patients in the state, 62 per cent are women. Of them, 38 per cent suffer from cervical cancer. The other most common form of cancer among women is breast cancer.

“Contrary to general belief that large number of cases of the disease are being registered in the state because of consumption of tobacco and related products among men, we are recording that about 62 per cent of the patients are females with cervical and breast cancer. Among men, oral cancer is the most common form of cancer. We recommend a total ban on tobacco and related products,” Singh said.

Experts said periodic screening could prevent cervical cancer by doing a pap smear. If the pap smear shows any pre-cancerous changes, effective monitoring and preventive measures could be taken. Therefore, women should undergo the test at least once a year.

“Nowadays, even vaccines are available against cervical cancer and therefore women prior to their marriage, when their sexual indulgence begins and chances of developing this form of cancer grow, should get vaccinated. Women above 35 should also examine their breasts regularly for any lump and get mammography done annually to keep check on cancer growth,” said a city-based oncologist.

Experts also suggested that when it comes to cancer, prevention is the key to reduce the risk. It is imperative that proper awareness and education programmes are conducted at a national-level to ensure that screening and treatment are available to everyone at the right time.

Experts also believed that the state government has done little for the cause. There is a plan to help cancer patients in the state through the Union government’s comprehensive National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular diseases and Strokes, which was launched in 2010. Till date, the programme has remained mostly on paper.

“The programme that envisages implementation in 100 districts across 21 states has been started in six districts of Bihar — Vaishali, Rohtas, East Champaran, West Champaran, Kaimur and Muzaffarpur. Under the scheme, financial assistance will be given to 100 patients in every district for chemotherapy drugs. Each patient will get Rs 1 lakh,” said a senior health department official.