by Masood Hussain
SRINAGAR: A top Kashmir oncologist revealed that lung cancer continues to be the top killer in Kashmir males as breast cancer is the main terminal sickness among Kashmir women. He said an early screening for various cancers can help in early detection and management of the disease and help prevent the cancer from becoming widespread.
“We have almost all kinds of cancers in Jammu and Kashmir but lung cancer and breast cancer are the two top killers among men and women respectively,” Dr Sheikh Aejaz Aziz told Kashmir Life talk-show Aaji Ki Mulaqaat. “The global protocols suggest that society must go for screening early so that early detection can help better. In Kerela, early screening has helped almost eradicate one cancer.”
Dr Aejaz said the rampant use of smoking is a key factor in Kashmir. “Smoking causes almost all kinds of cancers,” he said. “An early screening among certain target groups can manage to locate the incidence and treat them in time. All cancers detected early are treatable.”
The top oncologist who earlier headed the SKIMS cancer management department said the research in cancers has yielded very positive results in treatment. Certain drugs and antibodies have been seen improving the life of patients to a great extent but the costs are still not very friendly for people belonging to low-income groups. “In our country, the bio-similar medicines have revolutionised the management and now these drugs are in huge demand in developing and developed counties,” he said, while referring to the immune-therapy drugs.
Asserting that the cancer management in Jammu and Kashmir healthcare set-up is at par with the rest of the country but there is a huge gap between the demand and supply. He said the private sector could contribute better if the government formulates patient-friendly policies in case of cancer cases. He also flagged the crisis in the management of very sick patients, especially during the last stages.
Reports appearing in the media suggest that between 2019 and 2022, Kashmir reported 51,577 cancer cases.
