‘Sharp rise in breast cancer cases in Kerala in past 20 years’

Eminent oncologist P. Narayanankutty Warrier has said that breast cancer cases have gone up by 300 times and colon cancer cases by 20% in Kerala in the past 20 years.

He was addressing a seminar on cancer awareness, organised by Pratheeksha, an organisation involving doctors and cancer survivors, here on Tuesday, ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4.

Dr. Warrier pointed out that the rise in colon cancer cases was visible among the youth, which was mainly due to the unscientific consumption of red meat. Almost 70% of cancer patients seek treatment in Stages III and IV. However, cancer can be treated if it is diagnosed in the early stages, he said.

K.K. Rajaram, District Medical Officer, Kozhikode, said that though advanced cancer treatment facilities were available in Kerala now, the treatment cost was often very high. Awareness should be created to help people diagnose cancer in the early stage. Low-cost treatment should made be available, he added.

Meanwhile, K.P. Aravindan, senior pathologist and public health expert, said that many Malayalis do not include enough fruits and vegetables on their menu because of the propaganda that pesticides were the main cause of cancer. He claimed that the cancer threat due to pesticides was less than 1.5%. Non-inclusion of enough fruits and vegetables could pose a greater risk. Though the consumption of red meat was one of the reasons for cancer, intake of fruits and vegetables with high fibre and citric content would address the threat.

Highlighting the relation between changing food habits and cancer incidence, Dr. Aravindan said that creating awareness about a healthy food culture was equally essential.

Sandhya Kurup, president, Indian Medical Association Kozhikode branch, said financial difficulties, lack of awareness, and stigma were preventing many people from seeking cancer treatment in the early stage.