Patterns of Cancer: A Study of 500 Punjabi Patients

Abstract

The State of Punjab has been in focus because of aperceived increasing rate of cancer. Both print and electronic media have created an impression that Punjab, especially the cotton belt of Malwa Region, has become a high incidence cancer region. Actually the increased number of cancer patients might be at least partly because of increasing population and heightened health awareness and reporting. The purpose of this study is to find out the pattern of cancer amongst patients registered in Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme (MMPCRKS), under cancer registry at Rajindra Hospital Patiala from the various districts of Punjab. The study covers 500 cancer patients registered under MMPCRKS at Rajindra Hospital Patiala, for free cancer treatment. Information regarding age, gender, religion, method of diagnosis and affected sites was obtained. Results were analyzed statistically. Of the 500 patients, 65% were females and 35% were males. The most affected female age groups were 50-54 and 60-64; while males in the age groups of 65-69 and 60-64 had the highest risk. The leading cancers in females were breast followed by cervix and ovary where as in males they were were colon followed by esophagus and tongue. The commonest histological type was adenocarcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma. The increasing trend of cancer in Punjab is alarming. Since this study is a preliminary investigation, it could provide a leading role in prevention, treatment and future planning regarding cancer in Punjab.

Low prevalence of anti‐xenobiotic antibodies among the occupationally exposed individuals is associated with a high risk of cancer

“…Among various cancers, breast cancer patients are highest in the Punjab. 44 We observed in our study that breast cancer patients exhibited a significant decrease in the anti-xenobiotic Abs, when compared to their healthy household contacts. Further, similar results were noted in the case of their sexmatched female healthy household contacts.…”

“…Further, female breast cancer patients exhibited considerably ( p < 0.05) lower Ab titer against diuron, as compared to their healthy household counterparts (Figure B). The diminished level of anti‐diuron Ab titer among the cancer patients can be correlated with a higher prevalence of breast cancer in the patients of Punjab province of India . It may be interpreted from these results that low level of anti‐diuron Abs may be one of the reasons for disease progression in breast cancer patients.…”

“…The diminished level of anti-diuron Ab titer among the cancer patients can be correlated with a higher prevalence of breast cancer in the patients of Punjab province of India. 44 It may be interpreted from these results that low level of anti-diuron Abs may be one of the reasons for disease progression in breast cancer patients. However, healthy household contacts remain protected due to the clearance of diuron from the body via high level of anti-diuron Abs.…”

A Glimpse of the Current Cancer Incidence in the Industrial Belt of South Semi-Urban West Bengal

“…4 Similar incidence of stomach carcinoma being the most common cancer has also been observed in the Kashmir valley. 5 Study done by Cherian et al, 2015 in Kerala and Bal et al, 2015 in Punjab also showed rising trend in stomach carcinoma but was reported only in males. 6,7 According to three years report of PBCR by NCDIR-NCRP (ICMR), Bangalore 2009-2011 stomach cancer was the leading site in registries of Sikkim and Mizoram.…”

“…5 Study done by Cherian et al, 2015 in Kerala and Bal et al, 2015 in Punjab also showed rising trend in stomach carcinoma but was reported only in males. 6,7 According to three years report of PBCR by NCDIR-NCRP (ICMR), Bangalore 2009-2011 stomach cancer was the leading site in registries of Sikkim and Mizoram. 3 In present study we also found that the colorectal cancer to be the second most common cancer in female and third most common in males.…”