By : A Staff Reporter 10/26/2007 1:23:27 AM
IMPHAL, Oct 25: “The incidence of breast cancer is on the rise in Manipur. Twenty-one percent out of all female cancers are breast cancer. Earlier incidence of cervix cancer (womb cancer) was very high, at around 21% but now it has come down to 16%.”
This was conveyed by Dr Th Tomcha, professor and head of department Radiotherapy and Regional Cancer Centre, RIMS in an interaction with media persons at his office chamber.
The doctor said that on the average women are more susceptible to cancer with roughly 55% of cancer patients being female. Dr Tomcha said that though both cervix and breast cancers are the latest health challenges for women, breast cancer is posing greater threat due to the modern lifestyles.
He said that at any given time 5-6 cancer patients at the lone Regional Cancer Centre at RIMS are breast cancer patients. Dr Tomcha said, “In the last 2-3 years number of breast cancer cases in Manipur have increased relatively. This is mainly due to late marriages, decrease in breastfeeding, obesity, lack of exercise, and high intake of high fat foot and meat.”
The doctor stressed that breastfeeding is one of the best protective measures against breast cancer. Observing that 90% of breast cancers can be detected by self, Dr Tomcha advised regular breast self-examination for women above 20 years. He said, “Any lump will not be necessarily cancer. So confirm with a doctor when a lump is detected.”
The incidence of breast cancer in Manipur is common among women 40 and most common among those above 50. Dr Tomcha said that yearly mammography should be done by women in this vulnerable age group.
Another aspect of breast cancer highlighted by the doctor was that this type of cancer comes under familial cancer and the defect can be transmitted through genes. “Fifteen percent of cancers are hereditary, including breast cancer. If two relatives have breast cancer, the risk gets higher.”
Speaking about the treatment, the doctor said that cancer treatment is responsive. He said, “If treated at stage I, 90% can be cured. If its stage II, 60-70% can be cured and 40-45% can be cured at stage III while only 10% can be cured at stage IV.” He added that progression of stages depend on the varying factors and is not universal.
Dr Tomcha explained that stage of cancer progression is determined by the size, extent of infiltration and spread of the tumor. “In Manipur, unfortunately 80% are detected at late stages. However in Western countries the rate of early detection is very high at 80% due to widespread awareness among the general population and implementation of preventive measures and early detection measures,” said Dr Tomcha.
The modalities of treatment available at the Regional Cancer Centre, RIMS are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. The doctor said that in spite of having an efficient treatment centre in the state people often go outside for treatment spending huge amount unnecessarily.
Due to the unprecedented escalation in the number of breast cancer worldwide, the month of October is observed as international breast cancer awareness month. In Manipur too the month-long observation is being held wherein breast cancer awareness programmes will be conducted at colleges, markets, and other areas
He observed that in the coming years oral cancer will pose a huge health challenge since the intake of tobacco is very high among both sexes in the Manipur.
Source: The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 25: “The incidence of breast cancer is on the rise in Manipur. Twenty-one percent out of all female cancers are breast cancer. Earlier incidence of cervix cancer (womb cancer) was very high, at around 21% but now it has come down to 16%.”
This was conveyed by Dr Th Tomcha, professor and head of department Radiotherapy and Regional Cancer Centre, RIMS in an interaction with media persons at his office chamber.
The doctor said that on the average women are more susceptible to cancer with roughly 55% of cancer patients being female. Dr Tomcha said that though both cervix and breast cancers are the latest health challenges for women, breast cancer is posing greater threat due to the modern lifestyles.
He said that at any given time 5-6 cancer patients at the lone Regional Cancer Centre at RIMS are breast cancer patients. Dr Tomcha said, “In the last 2-3 years number of breast cancer cases in Manipur have increased relatively. This is mainly due to late marriages, decrease in breastfeeding, obesity, lack of exercise, and high intake of high fat foot and meat.”
The doctor stressed that breastfeeding is one of the best protective measures against breast cancer. Observing that 90% of breast cancers can be detected by self, Dr Tomcha advised regular breast self-examination for women above 20 years. He said, “Any lump will not be necessarily cancer. So confirm with a doctor when a lump is detected.”
The incidence of breast cancer in Manipur is common among women 40 and most common among those above 50. Dr Tomcha said that yearly mammography should be done by women in this vulnerable age group.
Another aspect of breast cancer highlighted by the doctor was that this type of cancer comes under familial cancer and the defect can be transmitted through genes. “Fifteen percent of cancers are hereditary, including breast cancer. If two relatives have breast cancer, the risk gets higher.”
Speaking about the treatment, the doctor said that cancer treatment is responsive. He said, “If treated at stage I, 90% can be cured. If its stage II, 60-70% can be cured and 40-45% can be cured at stage III while only 10% can be cured at stage IV.” He added that progression of stages depend on the varying factors and is not universal.
Dr Tomcha explained that stage of cancer progression is determined by the size, extent of infiltration and spread of the tumor. “In Manipur, unfortunately 80% are detected at late stages. However in Western countries the rate of early detection is very high at 80% due to widespread awareness among the general population and implementation of preventive measures and early detection measures,” said Dr Tomcha.
The modalities of treatment available at the Regional Cancer Centre, RIMS are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. The doctor said that in spite of having an efficient treatment centre in the state people often go outside for treatment spending huge amount unnecessarily.
Due to the unprecedented escalation in the number of breast cancer worldwide, the month of October is observed as international breast cancer awareness month. In Manipur too the month-long observation is being held wherein breast cancer awareness programmes will be conducted at colleges, markets, and other areas
He observed that in the coming years oral cancer will pose a huge health challenge since the intake of tobacco is very high among both sexes in the Manipur.
Source: The Imphal Free Press
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