Abstract

An Increasing Cancer Burden in Tertiary Care Health Centers of Chandigarh: The Hospital Based Study

The study emphasised the increasing cancer burden in tertiary care health centres of Chandigarh. The patients from neighbouring states were coming to UT (Union Territory of Chandigarh) for cancer-related treatment due to the unavailability of tertiary healthcare facilities. It was also observed that most of the patients were coming to Chandigarh in advance stage of cancer i.e. more than 57.54%. Various factors were influencing the increase in the burden of cancer in UT.

Material and Methods: The prospective study was conducted among registered cancer patients of Radiation Oncology and other departments in GMCH and PGIMER Chandigarh. Both primary and secondary data was used throughout the study.

Results: In the female, Ca Breast (37.15%) and in male, Ca Lip and Oral cavity (16.1%) were prevalent cancer. There were (30.83%) illiterate patients with a monthly average income of Rs.4608.27 and loss of average income due to cancer was Rs.119914.51. History of smoking was present in 25.60% of patients. Tobacco chewing (6.1%) and alcohol intake were present in 21.3% respectively. Around 41.5% of patients were non-vegetarian and the use of green vegetable was also very low. The use of junk food was very high (78.7%). Only 0.2% out of 30.7% of patients who were doing exercise, were doing it for adequate time.

Conclusion: Cancer is an increasing burden not only on hospitals but also on cancer patients as well as their families; treatment of Cancer is quite costly for average and BPL income group of families. Lifestyle factors may play a significant role in the causation of cancer. There is a definite degree of delay in the management of cancer, which can be reduced with further studies.

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