Pune: If statistics derived from cancer therapy units of prominent city hospitals is any indication, it’s time to take cancer seriously.Hospitals in the city say that they see 20% new cases every year and the trend points towards younger people in the age group of 30-45 years being the worst affected. At Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital’s radiation therapy unit, oncologist, Dr Shailesh Shende, is seeing a record 34% increase in cancer patients as compared to a few years ago.
“In 2009, we had 558 patients on radiation therapy. The number rose to 705 in 2010 and 749 in 2011 of which most of them were breast and cervical cancer cases,” said Dr Shende.
“While cancer is multi-factorial and one reason cannot be pointed out as responsible for increase in patients; lifestyle changes and habits, increased stress, late child bearing, pollution and even increased awareness leading to more detection is responsible for rising cancer cases,” said Shende.
Radiation therapy is useful in a wide variety of cancers — except blood cancers — that are localised to one area of body or a part of curative therapy to prevent tumour recurrence.
With Ruby Hall Clinic being one of few other hospitals providing this specialised therapy, oncologist, Dr Bhooshan Zade, said that from 740 cancer patients on therapy in 2007, the number has jumped to 1,315 in 2011.
“The number has nearly doubled, but given the fast rate of new cases detected, we aren’t surprised. It is an epidemic and worryingly affecting the young,” Dr Zade said.
“The maximum clientele that visits us for therapy is less than 45 years of age,” he added.
“People take lifestyle problems lightly like unhealthy food habits, less breast feeding or tobacco consumption, but this is serious business. Youngsters consider smoking a style symbol. They are unaware of its consequences,” Dr Zade added.
Oncologist Dr Minish Jain said he sees at least 200 new cancer patients in a month in his clinic.
“This is just one clinic’s data. Imagine what will happen if you combine statistics from all clinics, it would be mind boggling. While it is true that cancer doesn’t affect any particular age group, we are seeing rise in number of young patients. Most worrying are cases of oral cancers, tobacco-related cancers which are at most times avoidable. But young people are having fun at cost of their lives and one visit to a cancer department will shake them up,” he said.
