Nagaland a ‘leader’; Oncologists discuss the march of cancer

[caption id="attachment_231556" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Oncologists and participants pose for a group photograph during the inaugural programme of an oncologists’ conference, at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Feb. 2.[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, Feb. 2 (EMN):The inaugural programme of the Association of Oncologist, North East India’s (Aonei) XIV annual conference was held at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Feb. 2. The principal secretary of Health and Family Welfare, I Himato Zhimomi said in his keynote address that Nagaland was a ‘leader’ in nasopharyngeal cancer: “Our state is unfortunately one of the leaders in providing patients with nasopharyngeal cancer in the Northeast and even in the world too.” According to the National Cancer Registry data, there are around 15.4 lakh new cancer patients every year all over India, out of which six to seven lakh patients are of fatal cases. Cancer is a disease which is beating every other disease, he said. Also, he advised patients to ‘get the right treatment at the right cost, right place, and at the right rehabilitation centres.’ Also, what may come as a ray of hope for people, Zhimomi announced that a tertiary cancer centre (TCC) for Nagaland was coming up in Kohima. He is hopeful that the state will get its first TCC by this year’s end. In addition to that, the state’s first medical college ‘should be coming up in two years from now,’ and oncology will be one of the departments, he said. The government assured that the government was trying to provide all assistance it can to cancer patients. ‘Make our state at least a state which is not going to be known for cancer deads,’ he concluded. Former Chief Secretary Banuo Z Jamir gave a special message on behalf of cancer survivors during the programme. Jamir, who is a cancer survivor herself, said cancer is still regarded as a “curse” in the society because of its prolonged and expensive treatment. [caption id="attachment_231557" align="alignright" width="300"] I Himato Zhimomi addresses the programme.[/caption] “There are many very dreadful diseases in the world and cancer still ranks at the top. However, information and knowledge about the disease is now freely available and because treatment facilities are more easily accessible, there is more positive acceptance of the disease,” Jamir said. Recounting her struggles, she said “It can be very frustrating and oftentimes, very depressing both for the survivor/patient and the family.” The former chief secretary highlighted some of her wishes: Introduce counselling for cancer patients and families; subsidise cost of cancer treatment; offer free treatment to people in the Below Poverty Line category; facilitate chemotherapy in as many hospitals in the districts; associate survivors in designing programs in cancer activities; and introduce training in palliative care. A group of doctors from Apollo Gleneagles in Kolkata namely Dr. Shaikat Gupta, director of Surgical Oncology; Dr. Akhter Jawade, senior consultant radiation oncologist; and Dr. PN Mahapatra, director of medical oncology had an interaction with the media fraternity. According to the physicians, quite a lot of cancer patients from Nagaland are being treated at the hospital, with 10-20 cancer patients per month. The most common cancer types found among patients from Nagaland is mouth, nose, and stomach among the Nagas. They found out that smoked food, particularly smoked meat, tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse were the main causes behind the nasopharyngeal cancer cases among the people. The doctors also gave lists of do’s and don’ts for the people. It includes, avoiding tobacco in all form; alcohol in moderation; say no to smoked food and avoid smoky environment; exercise daily; opt for leafy vegetables and avoid red meat; regular breast check up, in the case of female; and avoid sun exposure, though this case is not much in India. In his presidential address, the president of the association, AK Kalita requested the government to have a well equipped oncology facility set up in the state. He felt that was the need of the hour. Dr. Thorhusie Katiry, organising chairman of the AONEI, 2019 said that the conference was the first of its kind in Nagaland. He informed that the state has the highest number of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, with 15.3 % in male category and 10.8% in the female category.