Ranchi: As the world observes World Cancer Day on Wednesday, Jharkhand continues to grapple with this silent but growing health crisis. Most importantly, the disease is detected far too late due to a lack of awareness, deep-rooted social stigma and fear associated with it. Medical experts said a significant number of cancer patients approach hospitals only when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, drastically reducing treatment options and survival chances. Early warning signs are often ignored, largely due to fear, misinformation and social taboos surrounding cancer.Dr Gunjesh Singh, an oncologist at the Ranchi sadar hospital, said even the educated class in the state is also lagging as far as awareness relating to cancer is concerned.“Many patients come to us after they fail to cure the disease after consulting with homoeopathic, ayurvedic and other fake cancer healers. As a result, they reach us after the cancer reached advanced stages, making it very difficult to treat. People here in Jharkhand are having many myths surrounding the disease, even after diagnosis, they sometimes refuse treatment, fearing social stigma,” Singh added.Experts estimate that the state has around 35,000-40,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually. Ajit Kushwaha, the head of the surgical oncology department at Rims, said according to the ICMR data, non-communicalble diseases form 48% of the overall disease burden of Jharkhand. The state also has a high incidence rate of cancer at 70 people per one lakh population and an equally high death rate, largely due to late diagnosis.“A total of 3,412 patients were checked at the surgical oncology OPD in 2025, and around 40% of the total patients were in the advanced stage when they came for consultations,” Kushwaha added.
