Khaini', 'bidi' biggest killers in Bihar

Patna,(BiharTimes):  The director of Mahavir Cancer Sansathan, Dr J K Singh, said here on Tuesday that about 33 per cent of cancer cases are curable if diagnosed at an early  stage. 

 Speaking on the eve of National Cancer Awareness Day, which falls on Thursday he said while 33% cancer cases are preventable, other 33% can be cured if they are detected in the early stage.

“Cancer usually manifests itself at a later stage. But if certain signs of cancer are not neglected, one can get cured easily,” Singh said adding there are some signs of cancer like lump in body parts, persistent hoarseness, ulceration in mole, progressive weakness and fever which should not be ignored. Women should not look the other way if there is lump in breast, inter-menstrual bleeding or vaginal discharge, he added.

 Singh, while quoting figures of Sansathan, said four types of cancer are mainly prevalent in state. Cervical and breast cancers are found in high numbers among women, whereas among males, oral and liver cancer have been detected in large numbers.

 Singh said in India, 12 lakh new cancer patients are added every year and if the tobacco is completely banned in all forms, 40% of the new cancer cases would be reduced.

He said if any girl between 11 and 20 years before marriage gets vaccinated, she would be immune to  cervical cancer.

 The Executive Director of Socio-Economic Educational Development Society (SEEDS), Deepak Mishra, said tobacco consumption is the main reason behind cancer and Bihar is the biggest consumer of tobacco.

 He once again regretted that the state government is not serious enough to control the menace of cancer. He cited the recent example of the rollback of tax on khaini by the Nitish government.

 Cancer Awareness Society (CAS) president T P Sinha said despite ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions, they are still being sold outside many city schools.

 The executive director of the Society, Arvind Kumar Sinha, said merely tobacco control laws can not serve the purpose. The health department should allocate funds to spread awareness about tobacco control rules and the harmful effects of tobacco.

Stating that khaini and bidi are the biggest killers in the state noted surgeon and CAS vice-president Dr Ahmad Abdul Hai said there is hardly any cancer type which is not caused by tobacco. Apart from oral and upper cavity cancers, it causes cancers of eyes, lungs, abdomen, blood, heart vessels and urinary tract.