Agartala, Aug 7: The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre in Tripura stressed for modification of government policy to further strengthen the fight against growing cases of cancer in the state and urged the government to implement the existing laws related to the regulation of sale and use of tobacco and food adulteration.
The Superintendent of the Centre Dr Goutam Majumdar on Sunday said at least 50 per cent of the prevalence of cancer in the Northeast, especially in Tripura, could be reduced by the next decade if tobacco use is restricted, the quality of food and food items improved and people modify their lifestyle.
He pointed out that annually on average 40 per cent of cancer reported to the hospital here is found due to the use of tobacco and another about 20 per cent each due to food adulteration and inhalation of polluted air from atmosphere, passive smoking and burning of firewood in the kitchen.
“The irregulate use of pesticide and chemical fertilizers in agriculture, use of artificial nutrients in fisheries, poultry and other animals, which in turn getting into the human body increases the risk of cancer in stomach, liver, gallbladder, colon and critical parts. Similarly, habit of fast food, packaged food and tempted food items appeared to be one of the important factors of increasing several diseases including cancer,” Dr Majumdar said.
He underlined that India has laws against the use of tobacco products and alcohol but somehow the rules are being compromised at the implementation stage. Besides laws against food adulteration, there are several programmes and initiatives in India to ensure the quality of food and production of food items but still, quality of food is not assured in Tripura.
“Our observation and the patient profiles indicated that the production process of agriculture and animal husbandry don’t follow the standard protocol of use of chemicals and artificial nutrients and prolong consumption of unabsorbed and residuals multiplying the risk factors of cancer and also, affecting the immunity mechanism,” Dr Majumdar articulated.
He said the regional cancer centre has registered 3,050 new cases in 2021 and around 1500 new cases till August this year, which is very alarming. At present more than 12000 cancer patients are prevalent in Tripura and a total 1450 deaths of cancer patients in Tripura were reported last year. (UNI)