With the onset of winter in Kashmir, the number of patients requiring visits to hospitals increases with the rise in respiratory cases. However, in the last few years, something more dangerous has taken a great toll on people’s lives. According to the figures released by the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, the number of cancer cases in the area has escalated rapidly.
These alarming figures have heightened the concerns of both medical experts and the general public. The figures show that the count of cancer diagnoses keeps increasing, which is a concerning sign of the growing health problem in Kashmir. This is a new health issue that requires a coordinated response, and we will discuss it in this research article.
The steep rise in cancer cases
In an interview with Kashmir News Observer, Prof. Manzoor Ahmad, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at GMC Srinagar, stated that the number of new cancer cases in J&K is rising very quickly. In 2023, the department recorded a record-high 1,640 cases, with 911 men and 729 women being diagnosed. According to the Union Health Ministry, 51,577 cases of cancer were reported in J&K between 2019 and 2022, with 35,623 deaths during that time. This indicates how the healthcare system is becoming increasingly overloaded. Each figure is more than just a number; it represents a person’s life, a family’s life, and a community’s struggle with a problem that has never been seen before. Additionally, cancer is a modern epidemic disease that costs about $1.16 trillion worldwide annually.
Dr. Shabnam, an onco-surgeon from Kashmir, said in an interview, “There are over 100 different types of cancer. Every year, about 18 million new cases of cancer are detected around the world, and 9.6 million people die from it—that’s one in four deaths. Unfortunately, 70% of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries. There are 50.55 million 5-Year Cancer Survivors in the world right now, and every year about 8 lakh new cases are found in our country. About 25 lakh people are living with cancer, and every year about 7-8 lakh people die from it.”
In the Kashmir valley, experts are trying to understand: What caused this surge? To unravel this mystery, we need to examine living choices, environmental factors, and how genes interact with each other more closely. This isn’t just an increase in the number of people affected; it’s a call to comprehend the complexities of human experience. Additionally, we need to identify the factors that are pushing an entire region into a health crisis.
Who are the culprits
When officials try to figure out what is responsible for the rise in cancer cases, the news affects people’s lives in Kashmir in a broader sense. Once considered a private choice, smoking is now viewed as a social issue that impacts all aspects of daily life. The term “familial predisposition,” which has various meanings, illustrates how genetics weaves a complex web that shapes our lives. One person’s decisions aren’t the only factor influencing their health because family and cultural traditions also play a role.
Another factor believed to be responsible for the rise in cancer cases is obesity. The word “obesity” is very common these days, illustrating how we are all grappling with unhealthy eating and inactive lifestyles. People are consuming more and more junk food, leading to obesity and thereby increasing their chances of cancer. “Foods that are heavy in salt and nitrosamines, such as pickles and salt tea, as well as foods that are packed, pre-cooked, smoked, or highly processed, can increase the risk of cancer,” says Dr. Shabnam. Similarly, ageing takes on a new meaning when linked to the rising number of cancer cases. This is because the increase in age is positively correlated with the increase in the number of cancer cases.
As per the 2012 SKIMS study, the complicated web of eating habits and lifestyle decisions is worsening our life situation. It becomes a mirror that reflects how dangerous it is to consume a lot of salt, a practice deeply rooted in cultural norms and cooking habits. It’s not just a rise in the numbers; it’s a depiction of how decisions, genes, and the social and cultural environment shape lives.
As mentioned, it is a complicated web of factors that can lead to cancer. Some of the other risk factors include high sodium, processed foods, and other unhealthy foods. It’s a warning that the decisions we make about eating have effects that last long after the meal is over. Similarly, air pollution is a silent partner in our busy cities. It infiltrates the air we breathe and alters it in ways that are detrimental to our health. It’s a call to address both the visible and invisible pollutants present in the air.
The role of smoking
There is a common enemy in the Kashmiri health system that receives extra attention: smoking. It’s not just a coincidence that this happens; for many, it’s a daily dance with a recognized sign of health problems. When it comes to people smoking in Kashmir, cancer is the main story, and tobacco is seen as the silent cause of a growing problem.
Studies show that there is a strong link between smoking cigarettes and developing lung cancer. The numbers in Kashmir reveal a quiet battle taking place in the community’s lungs. The invisible threat of carcinogens isn’t just a distant health concern; it’s a personal fight waged with every puff and draw of air.
Moreover, in Kashmiri culture, smoking isn’t just a statistic; it’s a way of life deeply ingrained in daily life. The smoking vessel used in Kashmir called “Jejeer,” is deeply embedded in the culture of Kashmir. Changing our habits for a healthier community is the need of the hour.
Gender wise cancers
Another shocking reminder associated with the cancers in Kashmir is that different cancers affect men and women. It’s not just a rise in cases; it’s also a story of different battles, with men and women facing distinct health problems. Having mentioned this earlier, the numbers show that lung cancer mostly affects men, while breast cancer is becoming a bigger threat to women.
In the face of this health disaster, this isn’t just a statistical observation; it’s an in-depth look at the different ways that each gender is vulnerable. The differences in the data need more than a quick mention; they call for a better approach to preventing cancer and raising awareness about it. It’s a call to ensure that healthcare plans are tailored to the unique needs of men and women.
Early detection and proper treatment
The brightest light of hope in fighting cancers in Kashmir is at the center of early diagnosis. It’s not just a medical term; it’s a lifeline. We can call it a thin thread that can save people from a brutal death. The officials’ focus on this fight against cancer goes beyond academic language; it’s a sincere call for strategic steps that can change the course of lives that are affected.
The idea of early identification isn’t just an idea; it’s a call to action for a robust healthcare infrastructure. Apart from the strong infrastructure, we need a network that reaches every village in Kashmir. It’s a call for campaigns that raise awareness about the growing cancer cases in Kashmir. People need to be vigilant, get checked out, and use the power of knowledge to save their lives. For early detection, the government needs to provide facilities where cancers are detected at an early stage. Sometimes, this can make all the difference. Thus, officials in higher positions need to understand how vital it is to diagnose cancers at the right time.
After the early detection of cancer, the government needs to provide proper treatment for it. This is because most cancers can be treated in the earlier stages. Various methods, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are available and have been shown to work in the past. These therapies have already saved the lives of hundreds of people in Kashmir. A deeper dedication can be seen in the coordinated efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, which goes beyond the promises of treatment. It’s not enough to just combat the obvious rise in cases; the healthcare system also needs to strengthen the basics of patient care to handle the growing number of requests.
What next?
As the health situation in Kashmir worsens without being heard, the most important question that keeps coming up is: What’s next? As a result, we need an approach, a collective effort that goes beyond hospitals and clinics. The effort must extend into the very heart of communities that are grappling with the slow but steady rise in cancer cases. A strong response is built on three main pillars: awareness, prevention, and intervention. These strategies can undoubtedly help us save a lot of lives.
In this context, public health campaigns become a powerful tool, not just empty statements but also active projects that fit in with everyday life. “Quit smoking” becomes a rallying cry, a way for everyone to work together to break free from tobacco addiction. Dr. Zahoor, a doctor from SKIMS Soura, said in an interview that 40-50% of cancers can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, having a balanced diet, and avoiding over-processed foods.
Healthy habits aren’t just medicine; they should become a way of life. As a result, regular tests stop being just medical requirements and become a choice that allows people to detect cancer. It’s not only a logistical challenge to invest in good treatment facilities, especially in remote places. Similarly, collaborations with other research institutes become the key to the success of this project. It can help us unite healthcare officials, local communities, and non-governmental organizations into a single force.
Conclusion
In Kashmir, we are already facing a lot of issues and problems in other sectors of life. This rise in cancer cases only adds to the worries of the people. But there is a solution for every problem, and that’s what we need to keep in mind. The common people of Kashmir, who are the backbone of our society, need to be informed about what causes these cancers. They need to be told how small lifestyle changes can go a long way. The problem of growing cancers is a significant one that will require proper coordination and transmission of information from experts to the local population.
Bear in mind that cancer is not an isolated disease. It is interconnected with many unhealthy lifestyle habits that need to be stopped. One of the greatest tools would be early detection, and then it is the government’s responsibility to provide proper treatment options. With new problems and challenges arising every single day, we all need to stay ahead and help save lives.
References
https://srinagarnews.net/03/02/2024/world-cancer-day-j-oncologists-call-for-lifestyle-changes/
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/front-page-2/cancer-catastrophe-cases-climb/
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