With the state lagging behind in the medical advancements for the timely detection of cancer, the number of cancer cases has been increasing every year.

According to the data released by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 16,840 patients with malignancies have been registered till August in the state as compared to 11,815 in 2014. In Jammu, most of the cancer cases are related to the head and neck, while stomach cancer is more common in Kashmir.

Dr Nadeem Shoket, medical oncologist, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, who has recently joined the Department of Medical Oncology, stated this here today while briefing the media in connection with the Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

He said the estimated number of cancer patients (prevalence) in 2012, 2013 and 2014 was 29,841, 30,855 and 31,889, respectively. Similarly, the estimated number of deaths for the same years was 4,863, 5,028 and 5,198.

He said on an average, three to four patients with cancer symptoms were being registered in the hospital. He admitted that there was a delay in the detection of cancer in the early stages.

Read also: Your health is under threat in Jammu region

When asked about the reasons behind the delay in cancer detection and lack of medical equipment due to which patients have to go outside the state for treatment, Dr Shoket said, “There is no centre is Jammu to have the exact data of cancer patients, but we have started the process for having one.”He said lung, head, neck and mouth cancers were most common in the state. He said tobacco consumption, sedentary lifestyle and faulty diet were the main reasons behind the ailment.

In reply to a question on the delay in the installation of specialised machine for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan for cancer treatment at the GMC, Jammu, he said, “The machine installed at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, Srinagar, is in the preparatory stage. It is yet to become functional. At the GMC, we will try to instal it as soon as possible.”Stomach cancer common in Kashmir

• According to the data released by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 16,840 patients with malignancies have been registered till August in the state as compared to 11,815 in 2014
• In Jammu, most of the cancer cases are related to the head and neck, while stomach cancer is more common in Kashmir
• Tobacco consumption, sedentary lifestyle and faulty diet are the main reasons behind the ailment

This post originally appeared on The Tribune India.