Five Years Record on Cancer Incidence from a Diagnostic Centre in Mizoram, Northeast India: Cancer trend in Mizoram

Abstract

Cancer has become leading cause of death in Northeast Indian population. The main reason being poor knowledge of prevention and diagnosis combined with modern lifestyle of the Mizo population. All cancers have been reported in Mizo population including the cancers of stomach, cervix, lungs, breast, oesophagus, rectum, prostate, liver, bladder, oral etc. The cause of such high incidence rates of these cancers may be inherited or genetic and environmental factors such as life style and food habits, especially high consumption of tobacco and alcohol. A peculiar habit of tobacco smoke-infused water (Tuibur) is also in practice in this population. In view of these facts, the present article describes the status of various types of cancers in Mizo population. Besides, attempts have been made to describe the main causes of cancer in this population with their frequency and grading. In this study, increasing number of cancer patients in different age group was observed from 2011 – 2015. The highest incidence of cancer was observed in the patients with age group 50 - 60, followed by age groups above 60. In age group 20-30 years, the breast and cervix cancers were more prevalent, throughout all the years. In middle age group (30-40 and 40-50 years), the cervix, stomach and oesophagus cancers were more prevalent. The common type of cancer in female includes cervical cancer, followed by breast cancer which is shown to be increasing with age of the patients and also increasing each year within this 5 year period from 2011 – 2015. In 2014 and 2015, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are both commonly seen. This study will help in understanding the etiology of cancer and also in developing preventive measures in future.