Increase in cancer cases in Kerala

Kerala is far ahead of other states in terms of the number of hospitals, other health centres and doctors. It can be said that there is almost no place in Kerala where the services of a doctor or small and large hospitals are not available within a distance of at least five kilometres. In terms of cleanliness and hygiene, Malayalis maintain high standards as part of their lifestyle. Although Kerala should become a state with a low number of disease cases, considering all these things, the statistics, the steadily increasing number of patients in medical college hospitals and other places, and the amount spent annually on medicines sold in the state paint a different picture!

The mental stress that Malayalis are experiencing these days regarding the education of their children, their competitive exams and the pressure to secure their future is not small. Along with this, the drastic change in eating habits, lack of sleep, the excess of imported vegetables with pesticides and meat products have adversely affected the health of Malayalis. Kerala, one of the smallest states in India, is known as the diabetes capital of India. 20 to 25 percent of the population is affected by diabetes at various stages. This is double the national average. Excessive consumption of junk food is said to be a major reason for the increase in the number of diabetics.

Among deadly diseases, cancer poses the biggest challenge to the people of Kerala. A report written by our special correspondent, KS Aravind, has been published in 'Kerala Kaumudi', which states that 1000 people are affected by cancer every year in Kerala. The number of cancer patients has increased by 54 percent in the state in the last ten years. This report points to the need to expand the existing treatment facilities. According to the figures from 2019 to 2024, more than a thousand people are diagnosed with the disease every year in Kerala. 173 people out of every one lakh are suffering from cancer. This is when the national average stands at 98.5. Those affected range from children to the elderly. There is no exact answer to the cause of the disease, but experts point out that lifestyle is the main culprit.

It is said that wrong diet, obesity, and an increase in drug use can also lead to cancer. Kerala is at the peak of per capita cancer incidence rate, according to the figures clarified by Union Health Minister JP Nadda in the Lok Sabha. The Union Health Minister threw light on these issues in the Lok Sabha based on the statistics of the ICMR National Cancer Registry Program. The state health department should take the initiative for a comprehensive study, coordinated by various agencies, on the causes of the increasing cancer cases in Kerala. The findings of that study should be analyzed and long-term programs to prevent cancer should be formulated.