Despite being the country’s second least populated State, Mizoram exhibits the highest incidence rate of cancer in India. The latest evidence from an 18-year trend study notes a consistent uptick in cancer incidence and mortality in the State, with stomach cancer emerging as the primary cause of cancer-related deaths among men, while lung cancer plays a parallel role among women.
Cancer incidence and mortality is also growing among the younger generation in Mizoram, which may stem from the static lifestyle and dietary patterns prevalent within the endogamous tribal population, potentially contributing to a genetic predisposition, according to the study, titled “Cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment needs in Mizoram, India: evidence from 18 years trends (2003–2020)’’, which was recently published in The Lancet Regional Health — Southeast Asia.
The study notes that the escalation in mortality rates could be attributed to a dearth of specialised diagnostic facilities and skilled human resources, treatment strategies guided by genomic research, and transportation challenges.
