NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: Tamil Nadu has had the largest number of cancer deaths in the last three years among South Indian states, followed closely by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. According to data compiled by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), 39,127 cancer patients lost their lives in 2011 in Tamil Nadu. The figures in the preceding years were 38,542 (2010) and 37,806 (2009) respectively. These figures are highest in South India and are fifth in the national level.
Tamil Nadu is closely followed by Andhra Pradesh with 37,144 deaths in 2011. In 2010, 36,641 cancer patients lost their lives in AP and 36,145 in 2009. Next to Andhra Pradesh is Karnataka with 25,531 cancer deaths in 2011. The figures were 25,105 and 24,688 in the years preceding it. Kerala has had 14,805, 14,672 and 14540 deaths respectively in the last three years, the lowest in South India.
According to an official with the ICMR, the number of cancer-related casualties in the country has been steadily increasing over the period. “This trend is visible in all the states. This is quite alarming,’’ he said. The highest number of cancer deaths in the country was in Uttar Pradesh with as many as 90,000 people dying in 2011.
Next to UP is Maharashtra where 50989 people lost their life in 2011. Bihar and West Bengal are in the third and fourth position. “So far there is no explanation as to why some states have higher cancer deaths and why some have lower. This requires in-depth studies and analysis. As part of this, we have asked from states details of cancer cases too,’’ said the official, when asked about the reasons behind intra-country differences in cancer cases.
Comments
0 comment