As per the observations of Nagpur-based RST Regional Cancer Hospital, the five major causes of death in Central India comprise cancers of mouth, breast, cervix, lungs and stomach, respectively.

One would envisage improved facilities would bring down the frequency in addition to the death linked with cancer.

But, figures enlighten a depressing tale.

2011 saw a steep increase in demises caused by the illness.

According to the registries of the patients in the area, 25% of the sufferers had oral cancer, while a little more than 12% suffered from breast or cervical cancer.

The figure of individuals suffering from lung cancer has witnessed an increase with about 7% cancer patients suffering from it, accompanied by stomach cancer, which affected over 6% of the patients.

Hospital joint director Dr BK Sharma stated, “We were expecting high numbers of oral cancer patients as it is known to cause 40% per cent of cancer nationally along with breast and cervical cancers. What was surprising though was the high incidence of lung and stomach cancers as well, the number of people affected by which were very less until a few years ago.”

As per ICMR report, based on facts accumulated from 27 cancer registries comprising RST Regional Cancer Hospital, there were 9.8 lakh fresh cancer cases in the nation in the last year.