The northern and southern most states of the country are facing some
trouble in their head and heart. Over 55 per cent of the population
suffers from some form of mental trauma in Kashmir, owing to decades of
political turmoil. In Chennai, the prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease
— one of the leading causes of death globally — is 11 times higher
today than it was in the 1960s. And there we have it. Though middle
class, urban India growing at a phenomenal rate (in three years,
there'll be 53.3 million such households), invests generously in the
wellness industry — pegged at Rs 49,000 cr — the rampant lack of
well-being in our cities is surprising. Mirror spoke to researchers,
doctors and residents across India to examine this disconnect, and ask
them a simple question — what ails us and why? The answers were
wide-ranging. Some connections, such as that between oral cancer and tobacco were apparent, others like the one between air pollution and infertility
we wouldn't have guessed. In each case, however, experts stressed that
while solutions are at hand, implementation through improved healthcare
facilities and individual care is needed
This is not an exhaustive list. Conditions like HIV/AIDS, other forms of cancer, and genetic
disorders like Thalassemia, haven't been included. It's not that they
aren't significant, but instead point to the fact that we have much to
be concerned about. As you read this, the 12th Five Year Plan, for 2012
to 2017 is being drafted. Volume 3 of the draft tackles health, and
offers an overview of the current situation — 53% deaths are caused by
non-communicable diseases like malignant cancers and diabetes, 37% are
caused by communicable infections. The draft recommends that greater
effort be made at involving the community in planning, monitoring and
delivering health services. That's what we hope to do — after all,
Mirror cares for both, the head and heart.
Maharashtra at risk: 25 people per one lakh Maharashtrians have oral cancer
Cause: Tobacco
Chewed up by cancer
Nine years ago, 47-year-old Kalyan resident Vijay Kumar Prasad, a seller of kitchen utensils, gave up tobacco. "I saw my friends do it, so I tried it, too. I travelled for business, and chewed tobacco for recreation. Before I knew it, I was addicted," he says. Two years after quitting, he was diagnosed with oral cancer. During a check-up at St George Hospital, the doctor suspected Prasad had cancer. A biopsy at Tata Memorial confirmed his suspicion. "Fate pulled a fast one on me. Har ek ka luck hota hai, mera kharab nikla," says Prasad.
He underwent a surgery which left the right side of his jaw permanently disfigured. He now struggles to eat and speak. A father of two young daughters, Prasad says awareness of tobacco's consequences must be drilled into the common man. "Pictures should be put up at every bus stop and railway station. Only then can we begin to think of tackling this menace."
According to data provided by registries of the Indian Cancer Society, India accounts for 86% of the world's oral cancer cases. A study conducted by the National Institute of Public Health in 2011 reveals that 90% of these cases are due to chewing tobacco in the form of gutka, quid, pan masala, snuff, or misri (in the West, smoking is the main cause). Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India — four in 10 cases of cancer are oral. In Maharashtra, it is showing an increasing trend. "Its incidence among the youth is increasing in the state, which has one of the highest incidences of tobacco consumption. Every third Maharashtrian and every second male does it. We also have the largest cigarette and bidi smoking population in the country, which is why it is not surprising that 25 people per one lakh Maharashtrians have oral cancer. The second biggest cause is supari which, though is a confirmed cancer-causing substance, is still considered acceptable in most social scenarios," says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, head and neck cancer surgeon of Tata Memorial Hospital.
Maharashtra at risk: 25 people per one lakh Maharashtrians have oral cancer
Cause: Tobacco
Chewed up by cancer
Nine years ago, 47-year-old Kalyan resident Vijay Kumar Prasad, a seller of kitchen utensils, gave up tobacco. "I saw my friends do it, so I tried it, too. I travelled for business, and chewed tobacco for recreation. Before I knew it, I was addicted," he says. Two years after quitting, he was diagnosed with oral cancer. During a check-up at St George Hospital, the doctor suspected Prasad had cancer. A biopsy at Tata Memorial confirmed his suspicion. "Fate pulled a fast one on me. Har ek ka luck hota hai, mera kharab nikla," says Prasad.
He underwent a surgery which left the right side of his jaw permanently disfigured. He now struggles to eat and speak. A father of two young daughters, Prasad says awareness of tobacco's consequences must be drilled into the common man. "Pictures should be put up at every bus stop and railway station. Only then can we begin to think of tackling this menace."
According to data provided by registries of the Indian Cancer Society, India accounts for 86% of the world's oral cancer cases. A study conducted by the National Institute of Public Health in 2011 reveals that 90% of these cases are due to chewing tobacco in the form of gutka, quid, pan masala, snuff, or misri (in the West, smoking is the main cause). Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India — four in 10 cases of cancer are oral. In Maharashtra, it is showing an increasing trend. "Its incidence among the youth is increasing in the state, which has one of the highest incidences of tobacco consumption. Every third Maharashtrian and every second male does it. We also have the largest cigarette and bidi smoking population in the country, which is why it is not surprising that 25 people per one lakh Maharashtrians have oral cancer. The second biggest cause is supari which, though is a confirmed cancer-causing substance, is still considered acceptable in most social scenarios," says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, head and neck cancer surgeon of Tata Memorial Hospital.
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