The number of cancer patients is on the rise in occupied Jammu and Kashmir as around 7,000 patients have been registered alone at the Department of Radiation Oncology, SMHS Hospital GMC Srinagar since 2017.
According to Kashmir Media Service, official statistics revealed that 1,640 cases of cancer were reported at the Radiation Oncology Department in 2023, which is the highest in the last several years.
Four hundred and ninety-one new cancer patients were registered at the radiation oncology department, SMHS in 2017; 1,032 in 2018, 801 in 2019, 650 in 2020, 1,010 in 2021, 1,169 in 2022 and 1,640 in 2023.
Officials said that around 5 to 6 new cancer patients are being registered at the department every day. Prof Manzoor Ahmad, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at GMC Srinagar, said there is a sharp increase in new cancer cases in Kashmir, with the department registering a record number of 1640 cases in 2023, out of which 911 were males and 729 were females.
“The most common tumor in males was lung cancer and in females breast cancer. This scenario looks very grim as far as lung being the most common tumor in males is concerned because this cancer has a direct bearing and relation with tobacco use,” he added.
As far as breast cancer in females is concerned, one of the major reasons is the lack of physical activity and obesity. “So both the common cancers, whether it is lung in males or breast in females, could be easily avoided if we make the change in lifestyle,” Prof Ahmad said.—KMS
