Addressing lifestyle, environmental factors and awareness initiatives to combat the growing epidemic of cancer in the valley
Once, cancer was considered a rare disease in Kashmir, but today, it has become an alarming health issue. Nowadays, hospitals are full of increasing cases related to cancers of the oesophagus, lungs, breast, and intestines, among others. These days, breast cancer has become a prime health risk for women in this society. Most of them get diagnosed at very late stages due to ignorance, societal stigmas, and unawareness about symptoms.
These emerging cases are closely linked to the lifelines of the people in this area in their way of life, food, and environment. Traditional food habits that include excessive intake of salted tea (noon chai), pickled foods, and dry fish are associated with increased cancer risk due to their nitrosamines. Besides, newer modalities of processed and fast foods aggravate the existing threat. One of the most important issues related to the environmental aspect that modernization brings to the city is increased vehicular emissions and the careless attitude of industries, worsening conditions of air and water pollution and making life intolerable in such regions. These pollutants, in fine particulate matter, are associated with an increase in lung cancers. The pesticide use in apple orchards and paddy fields raises alarms about the ecosystem and its contribution to the buildup of chemical residues in food and, later, in water sources that are well-known carcinogens.
Breast cancer is less linked to environmental factors and primarily relies on lifestyle and preventive health factors. Direct lifestyle risk factors causing this threat are obesity, contraceptive use, late marriages, and infertility issues in Kashmir. When social systems stigmatize women from seeking help, and rural areas become deficient in diagnostic means, the possibility of timely intervention decreases. Very little is done about self-examination and regular screening activities, thus leaving a significant gap in early detection. The region needs to prioritize monitoring industrial emissions, pesticide use, and the quality improvement of water resources to reduce environmental carcinogens. The use of tobacco remains a major public concern, especially smoking and chewing tobacco products among men, which are still among the main causes of lung cancer and oral cancers. The practice of raising awareness of the early symptoms of cancer has not been incorporated into regular health check-ups; hence, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, significantly reducing the chances of successful treatment.
Increased incidences of cancer have begun to impose a burden on Kashmiri families. Cancer patients often require extremely costly and prolonged treatment, thus imposing a heavy financial burden on families, especially those who belong to poorer sections of society. Yet, treatment for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, is provided free of cost at all governmental hospitals in Kashmir. However, awareness of such facilities remains low among a wide segment of the population. The government must initiate awareness campaigns to bring free treatment options to people and ensure better outreach. It is regrettable in the emotional aspect because families quite often expect the worst and put their future at stake. However, they actually have very good prospects if action is taken immediately. For people to be willing to take action on this danger as it relates to cancer, they must first acquire sensitization regarding the disease. Major lifestyle changes also need to be considered. Regular screening camps in urban and rural areas would greatly help in detecting diseases in their early phases, thus improving the prognosis. Strengthening healthcare provisioning in hospitals with oncology departments while making cancer care affordable should be prioritized for advancement.
Breast cancer awareness should promote regular check-ups, identification of early symptoms, and breaking the taboos surrounding women’s health in society. Additionally, healthy eating, limiting smoking, and promoting physical activity can lower cancer risk as well.
Cancer in Kashmir is not just a medical issue; it is a societal problem that demands collective action. To combat this alarming trend, awareness, stronger healthcare, and a commitment to addressing environmental, societal, and lifestyle concerns could work wonders. Indeed, fighting for a healthy lifestyle in Kashmir is very challenging, but the right approach will help in working toward a healthier future for the Valley.
Hudaiba Jeelani is a Doctorate Scholar at the Department of Economics, IUST; Dr Wajahat Ahmad is an MD Oncologist
By Hudaiba Jeelani and Dr Wajahat Ahmad, MD Oncologist
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