Cancer is not a killer. What kills is carelessness and ignorance, delayed diagnosis and denied or wrong treatment. The only thing that can change the prognosis of a cancer patient is early diagnosis and awareness, said senior oncologist at HCG Panda Cancer Centre Dr Ranjit Kar said on the eve of World Cancer Day on Saturday.
Dr Kar said that breast, cervix and oral cancer account for higher load in Odisha. The incidence of oral cancer is the highest due to widespread intake of tobacco products in various forms.
The disconcerting fact is cancer mortality rate in Odisha is on the rise as it breaches the urban-rural divide by affecting rural women in the lower income group significantly. In every 24 hours, the State witnesses around 46 victims succumbing to this malignant disease. Odisha occupies the eleventh slot nationally in absolute numbers, the rate of incidence is more or less at par with top five States, he informed.
Expressing concern over growing number of cancer cases among youngsters, Dr Kar said that tobacco related cancer among younger population is on the rise in Odisha.
Dr Kar said ageing population, unhealthy life styles, unhealthy diet and poor diagnostic facilities are some of the major reasons behind the increase in the growing number of cancer cases and the deaths.
Referring to ICMR figures, Dr Kar informed that cervical cancer alone accounts for around 20 per cent and oral cancer cases account for around 50 to 60percent of the total cases in the State.