Srikakulam: Srikakulam struggles to cope with cancer

G Sigadam (Srikakulam): Apart from unemployment, the backward district of Srikakulam faces another problem — cancer. Around 40 per cent cases at the cancer hospitals in Vizag are from various parts of neighbouring Srikakulam district. Oral, breast and cervical cancer are the most common cases that come to these hospitals on a regular basis. These cancers are attributed to lifestyle, early marriage and over-lactation.

Ironically due to social stigma that prevails in the villages not many are coming out openly about cancer. A visit by Deccan Chro-nicle to a village G Siga-dam, 131 km from Vizag city in Srikakulam district where there have been many deaths recently due to cancer throws light on the social stigma.

Of the total 1,124 households that were surveyed in G Sigadam by the medical and health department staff, there are around 11 cancer cases. Interactions with villagers by this correspondent revealed that the number is more than that is shown in official records, as most of them ref-use to divulge about the disease instead go to other places for treatment.

A young person died due to cancer in G Sigadam but the family members insist that he died due to other complications. Medical records clearly show that 30-year-old man Suvvada Thaviti Naidu, who runs a meat shop in the village, died a few days ago after battling cancer for two years. He was taken to hospitals in Hyderabad and Vizag by a family member, who spent around Rs 4 lakh but in vain.

While those who can afford are going for treatment and others are dying silently.
“There are no factories around or there any air pollution or water contamination. But there are many cancer cases in G Sigadam due to habits of men and also early marriages and prolonged lactation. They lack awareness on hygiene and causes of cancer,” Dr C.H. Siva Kumar, G Sigadam Medical Officer, told this correspondent.

Village sarpanch V. Sai Ram said these cancer cases in the tiny village were detected from 2012. “Government needs to look into the causes of these cancer cases. It’s unusual that there are so many cases in this small village. Not all can spend such huge money on such a expensive treatment,” he said.

Srikakulam district medical and health officer (DM & HO) Dr R. Syamala said the department had deployed teams across Srikakulam to screen cancer cases and derive an action plan on creating awareness among the public on preventing cancer according to the survey results.