Battling the Big C

Editorial:-

Tuesday, 04 February was World Cancer Day, and of the many Days that are observed in State, this was one that should have received some attention. As the world over, Cancer is on the rise in Sikkim as well and even as better healthcare facilities are extended to patients and their families, it is important that wider awareness is generated on this health issue so that infection rates are brought down and detections made earlier. The CATCH programme of the State Government is a welcome step towards institutionalizing annual health check-ups because it is primarily such healthcare habits which will ensure timely detection. CATCH, if developed well, could popularize preventive healthcare against the present practice of going to hospitals and doctors only after one has taken ill; in cases like Cancer, too often, this stage is too late. And make no mistake, Cancer is a major concern which is only going to loom larger in the years to come. Look around, just about everyone has some experience on the matter, either through a relative who has been diagnosed with “C.A.” or a friend who has someone in the family with Cancer. If it is any consolation, Sikkim is not alone in the nightmare and the increase in Cancer cases here reflects a global trend. A recent report of the UN shows that cancer is now the world’s biggest killer – with the number of cases set to explode in coming years. A new global cancer report compiled by UN Agency, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) shows that as a single entity, cancer is the biggest cause of mortality worldwide with an estimated 8.2 million deaths from cancer in 2012. Global cancer incidence over four years increased by 11% to an estimated 14.1 million cases in 2012. What is worrying is that Cancer cases worldwide are forecast to rise by 75% and reach close to 25 million over the next two decades!

The exclamation point reinforcing the worry, it is clearly time then that Sikkim also begins addressing this health issue on more levels than just referring Cancer patients to treatment outside the State. When one talks of a War on Cancer at the global level, one refers to the effort to find a cure for cancer by increased research and the development of more effective cancer treatments. These obviously do not apply to Sikkim and the State should consider itself lucky if it gets a good Oncology centre here itself. The multispecialty hospital being planned by the State Government is projected to have an Oncology Centre. Hopefully, the policy makers and the babus will ensure that no corners are cut in establishing the best such facility possible. So while the world works on R&D, Sikkim should focus its energies on prevention, earlier detection/ diagnosis and screening. Sikkim also needs wider awareness about Cancer, not just as a preventive measure, but also as a support system for families combating cancer in the family. The latter is a growing pool, hence it is unfortunate that Sikkim has not worked out a support system for patients and their families. Awareness is also important because as per WHO, more than 30% of cancer deaths can be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors.