Cancer treatment : Awareness, early detection stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2026: The incidence rate of cancer in Manipur is relatively lower than other States in the North-East, however, enhancing awareness for early detection remains crucial for much needed treatment, said Chairman and Managing Director of BABINA Group of Companies, Dr Dhabali Thangjam, today.

He said this during a breast cancer awareness and screening programme organised at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

The programme was jointly organised by the American Oncology Institute (AOI), Babina Specialty Hospital and All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) .

Cancer treatment : Awareness, early detection stressed

Addressing the gathering, Dr Dhabali said that the cancer incidence rate is highest in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh among the North East States according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) .

Dhabali said that the rate of incidence of cancer in male population is highest in Mizoram in the North East.

The incidence rate in the State stands at 269 per 1 lakh men.

The incidence rate is highest among the female population in Arunachal Pradesh and it stands at 219 per 1 lakh females.

While the cancer incidence rate is relatively lower in Manipur, strengthening proper cancer awareness remains crucial for early detection and immediate treatment, Dhabali added.

Notably, a report of the ICMR said that the cancer incidence rate among females in Manipur is 71.1 per 1 lakh female population, and 62.8 per 1 lakh males---lower than National cancer incidence rate.

India's cancer incidence rate among females stands at 105 per 1 lakh females, and 95 per 1 lakh males.

Cancer is among the diseases which people are most afraid of and consider dangerous.

However, they should shun the perception that cancer would certainly cause death, Dhabali said.

Encouraging people to get screened for the disease if they have doubts, Dhabali said there is no guarantee that contracting cancer would certainly cause death.

If cancer is detected early and timely, it can be treated and even cured.

To avoid cancer, changing lifestyle is highly recommended.

Smoking and consuming tobacco products can lead to cancer, Dhabali said.

According to a report, Dhabali said cancer accounts for one in every death globally, and one in every 9 individuals in India is at risk of developing cancer during their lifetime.

In India, the most common type of cancer among men is lung cancer, and breast cancer among women, Dhabali said.

While cervical cancer was most common among Indian women, lifestyle changes and improved hygiene has reduced incidence of this type of cancer.

Now, breast cancer remains the common type of cancer among women, he added.

Dhabali further stated that some years ago, there were no comprehensive cancer treatment facilities in Manipur and patients had to travel to Guwahati or other parts of India for treatment, causing inconveniences to patients and families.

To provide treatment and ease inconveniences facing the people, the American Oncology Institute (AOI) was opened at the Babina Specialty Hospital, he added.

Editors' Guild Manipur president and Editor of Sangai Express (Manipuri Edition), Khogendra Khomdram; AOI Babina Specialty Hospital Consultant Surgical Oncology, Dr Anil Ayekpam; and AMWJU vice president Sonia Sorensangbam attended the programme.