Study on the Enraging Severity of Cancer in West Bengal, India from 2003 to 2010

Cancer mortality rates are climbing in India and it is under-reported due to poor recording of the cause of death. An effective population-based screening program can give reliable data on over-all malignancy profile. An 8-year (2003-2010) multi-centre based study was assessed to understand the malignancy profile in the population of West Bengal. The cancer frequency was moderate during 2003 to 2006, after that it rises drastically and reached maximum peak in 2010. The most frequently affected organs were breast, cervix, stomach, lung, oesophagus, ovary, cheek, prostrate, liver and pancreas, gall bladder and tongue. The incidence in rural areas was slightly low compared to more polluted urban counterparts. Malignancies are in epidemic peak in this population with new cancer cases and greater increase among females. The largest threat among females was seen for breast and cervix cancer, among males for prostate cancer. Among children of age group below 10 years non hodgkins lymphoma was alarmingly high, followed by acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelocytic leukemia. Exposure to various environmental toxicants, industrial wastages, asbestos dusts, colored agricultural commodities and food products incredibly elevate the levels of malignant risk and status. Multiple neoplastic syndromes were common for cancers of liver-lung-brain, breast-ovary, prostrate-lung-bone and others in this population and more specifically in multiple endocrine neoplasias. This devastating cancer scenario can be prevented by public education on tobacco and its health hazards, recommended dietary guidelines, safe sexual practices and lifestyle modifications.