Imphal, November 23: After AIDS, the people of Manipur of Manipur are facing serious health threat from lung and nasopharynx cancer.

As per the reports of a country wide cancer survey, Manipur stands top in lung cancer cases among females and nasopharynx cases among males, informed Principal Investigator of the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) Prof Y Mohen.

Prof Y Mohen who is also the Superintendent if RIMS presented his research findings on cancer during the NCRP review meeting held on November 16 and 17 at Aizawl.

While smoking bidis and cigarettes are listed as the main factors responsible for lung cancer, nasopharynx cancer is mainly caused by inhalation of toxic smoke emitted from burning pine wood.

During 2005 and 2006, 192 new cases of lung cancer were detected among women in Manipur.

This figure is above the all India average, Prof Mohen said.

During the same period 76 fresh cases of nasopharynx cancer were recorded among males in the State, most of whom belong to hill districts.

This figure too exceeds the National figure, he said.

Cancer forms other than lung and nasopharynx found common among males in the State are stomach, NHL, oesophagus, colon, urinary bladder, liver, rectum and leukaemia, he informed.

Among women of Manipur, cancer forms of cervix, uteri, breast, gall bladder, ovary, thyroid, stomach, skin, nasopharynx and NHL are found to be common.

With NCRP taking serious note of the threat posed by lung and nasopharynx cancer in the State, it has approved three more research programmes for the State including Understanding of Cancer and Tobacco and Understanding Cancer and Pesticides, Prof Mohen conveyed.

He further informed that Imphal would host a cancer review meeting, a National programme under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2009.

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