Mizoram reports India's highest cancer cases; stomach, lung cancer leading cause

Mizoram has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in India with Aizawl district reporting an ageadjusted incidence rate of 2694 per one lakh men health officials said on Sunday A senior Health and Family Welfare Department official said stomach and lung cancers are the leading causes of cancer in the state largely driven by high tobacco and betel nut consumption dietary habits and genetic factorsThe official said the Mizoram government signed an Externally Aided Project loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank on January 23 for a project titled ldquoSupporting Public Health Care System Strengthening to Achieve Universal Healthcare for Mizoramrdquo popularly known as the Mizoram Universal Healthcare Scheme MUHCSHe added that the World Bankfunded Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project has been successfully implemented and is expected to close by March 2026Under this project the Mizoram State Super Speciality Cancer and Research Centre is being set up in Aizawl under the Health and Family Welfare DepartmentAddressing a function on Saturday in Aizawl State Health and Family Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii expressed concern that Mizoram has one of the highest cancer incidence rates in India relative to its populationShe noted that even the Director of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai where many Mizo cancer patients seek treatment had remarked on the unusually high number of cancer cases among MizosThe Minister said that according to experts the high consumption of tobacco products unhealthy dietary habits including excessive intake of smoked meat pork fat and oils and lifestyle factors are major contributors to the statersquos cancer burdenShe stated that among women in India breast cancer is the most common followed by cervical cancer Highlighting that 997 per cent of cervical cancer cases are caused by Human Papillomavirus HPV she described the free vaccination programme as a welcome and crucial preventive measure and urged all eligible 14yearold girls to avail themselves of the vaccineThe Minister also appreciated the dedication and hard work of healthcare workers from the Directorate level down to SubCentresMizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena speaking at the same function said that one out of every five cervical cancer patients globally is from IndiaHe termed the free vaccination drive for adolescent girls future mothers of the nation as a vital and timely interventionThe chief secretary pointed out that Mizoram has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the country and that screening rates among women in the state remain lowMeena expressed hope that the initiative would save lives strengthen families and contribute to the statersquos overall developmentMeanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus HPV Vaccination Campaign for 14yearold girls to prevent cervical cancer The programme was launched virtually across all states and union territories by the Prime Minister from AjmerThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever