Nagpur: Wardha district has recorded nearly six times as many oral cancer cases as estimated, with tobacco use linked to most of them, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was informed on Wednesday. The govt’s written reply did not specify the period over which these cases were compiled, though tobacco and cancer screening camps in the district have been running since last year.
MLAs Rajesh Bakane and Rohit Patil, through a starred question, asked about the rising cases of cancer in the state, particularly in Wardha district. Public health minister Prakash Abitkar confirmed the sharp rise.
He said the govt is detecting cases through the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan, along with community-level screening by ASHA and health workers.
“At the community level, both population-based and opportunistic screening were being carried out, with suspected cases referred to the district level for confirmation. Additionally, screening, diagnosis and treatment were being provided at primary health centres, rural hospitals as well as district general hospitals,” Abitkar said.
