World Cancer Day is more than a day on the calendar. As the world commemorates the day, there are certain hard facts that cannot be ignored. Goa sees around 1500 new cancer patients every year which will show an increase by around 5 to 6 percent every year. This amounts to 100 per lakhs of population of Goa which is mildly higher than India which is around 90 to 95 per lakh of population of India!
This is of course much less than Kerala which is 130 per lakh. But if precautions are not taken Goa may reach Kerala projections sooner or later, since the diet is similar to those found in western countries and the State could soon become a ‘mini USA’!. The USA has the dubious record of having around 400 to 450 per lakh of population!
In Goa, breast cancer is the most common kind considering all the population. It’s around 300 new cases per year followed by oral cavity cancer. Oral cavity cancer is around 20 to 25 percent of all cancers in Goa which is much less than other northern states where it is around 40 percent. This decrease is due to decrease in tobacco use in Goa over the last 30 years due to the efforts of NGO like Note India, Goa Cancer Society, GoaCan, VHAI, and proactive media electronic as well as print and not to forget successive governments. Goa is best in fighting cervical cancer which is due to good education but the worst is colon cancer which is due to a love for red meat.
Worryingly, the age group of cancer striking is reducing by one to two decades. In the last 25 years, Breast cancer has become most common in the 30 to 50 age group. 25 years ago, it used to be found in the 50 to 60 year bracket. Prostate cancer is now common after 60 years old and sadly, Leukaemia is more common in children.
Dr Shekar Salkar, Jt Secretary, The Goa Cancer Society, said the way to tackle cancer was to have a cancer registry so that there is proper data. He said, “We must do a cohort study of one lakh population for next 20 years statistically so we will have a very good idea of all non communicable diseases and their prevalence so we can issue proper guidelines to people about diet, exercise etc.”
When asked how aware were the people of Goa about Cancer and the signs to watch out for in one’s body, he said generally people were aware but were afraid to do tests. Yearly check ups, he said, were very important to find out early disease. The message has to go to people very clearly that ‘early diagnosis saves life’. In Goa, he said it not only saves life but it also saves the organ. By tracking it early one spends less money on treatment with better healthy life.
Dr Salkar said that under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) Scheme, all operations were covered for cancers including radiation and basic chemotherapy. When asked what advice he would give anyone, he said it was important to stay away from vices like smoking and consuming alcohol. It was important to do a 30 minute walk or a simple exercise. Have a lot of leafy vegetables and avoid red meat as much as possible. And he smiled and said it was important to be happy and to enjoy your life.
One of the NGOs doing yeoman’s work in Cancer treatment in the State is the Cancer Society of Goa. Dr Mahesh Naik, honorary secretary said they were regularly conducting camps in the state. He said, “Over the last 10 years, we have conducted 30 camps where screening of cancer cases and educating people about cancer was done by our expert doctors. We also have the Dr Sharad Vaidya Cancer Screening Program where screening for various cancers is done at a subsidised rate. And upto now around 3000 patients have been screened for which the society has spent around 33 lakhs”.
With regards to the treatment, he said the society has helped in the treatment of 550 patients for surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy and bone marrow transplant with around Rs.2.5 crores being spent. The GCS has signed a MOU with DILASA- IMA Ponda Charitable Trust of palliative Care of advanced cancer patients. Since 2016, GCS has donated Rs 20 lakhs in contribution of Cancer ward and up to now help in treatment of 42 patients and the amount spent is Rs 8.5 lakhs. The NGO collaborates extensively with Make A Wish - India which fulfills wishes of Children suffering from Cancer. Till date, they have fulfilled the wishes of 54 children and about Rs 4.5 lakhs has been spent on this program. Money is also spent on research. The doctor said, cancer research was a priority. Up to now Rs 30 lakhs have been sanctioned for 10 research projects of which 4 research papers have come in international journals.
He also said around eight annual lectures were conducted. First five lectures were to educate the general public. Last three lectures were combined with CME which was mainly to educate doctors and healthcare professionals about recent advances in cancer management.
One hopes the average person exercises caution and conducts regular tests to keep a track of their health