Imphal, October 24 2008: Among the States of India with high prevalence rate of lung cancer, Manipur stands second.

Mizoram occupies the top position.

According to last year's annual report produced by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its National Cancer Registry programme, Manipur has the largest number of people infected by lung cancer.

The annual report was released on October 17 at Agartala.

The population based cancer registry of Manipur State compiled by RIMS Superintendent Dr Mohen as principal inspector reported that 22.7 percent of the male population of Manipur are infected by lung cancer while the infection rate among the female population is 14.5 percent.

In 2007, 1234 people of Manipur were recorded as infected by various forms of cancer.

Out of these, 600 infected persons were male while 638 were females.

Of the various forms of cancer commonly diagnosed among male population in the state, lung cancer accounts for 22.7 percent, stomach cancer 8.7 percent, nasopharynx 7.5 percent, NHL 5.2 percent, colon cancer 5 percent, mycloid leukemia 4.7 percent, oesophagus cancer 4.5 percent, liver cancer 3.8 percent, rectum cancer 2.8 percent and gall bladder cancer 2.7 percent.

Among women, lung cancer accounts for 14.5 percent, breast cancer 14.2 percent, cervical cancer 10.7 percent, gall bladder cancer 6.5 percent, stomach cancer 6.3 percent, thyroid cancer 6.2 percent, ovary cancer 5.7 percent, skin cancer 4.1 percent, NHL 3.5 percent and nasopharynx 2.7 percent.

Commenting on the report, Dr Y Mohen blamed extensive use of tobacco for the high rate of cancer infection in Manipur.

He also hailed the re'cent Govt order which bans smoking in public places all over the country.

Saying that consumption of tobacco products is the basic cause for lung cancer, he observed that older persons of the State smoke cigarettes and biris extensively while smoking has become so much fashionable among youth.

Since the ban on smoking in public places was enforced, 10 persons have been pulled up for smoking inside RIMS compound.

All of them were fined Rs 200 each.

The money collected as fine from those violating the ban on smoking is issued in the treatment of cancer patients, Dr Mohen said.

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