The data presented in the Rajya Sabha on cancer cases in Goa is mind-boggling. It shows that Goa is a hotspot for cancer, with an average of four new cases being reported daily. Overall, 5,218 new cancer cases were identified in the state between 2022 and 2024, which translates into a 4.88% increase over two years. On top of this, the rise of diabetes in the state is more than 8% during the same time frame, which mirrors a trend of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The burgeoning number of cancer cases in Goa is indicative of a public health crisis that is getting out of hand. These stats are more than just figures; they represent severe systemic problems and call for a serious introspection on an escalating health crisis.
India is home to roughly 1.57 million new cancer cases every year. The increments in the numbers are attributed to various factors, including aging populations, better detection, and lifestyle changes. By 2025, the cancer burden in India is anticipated to be close to 1.57 million cases, with the most common types of cancer being breast, lung, oral, and cervical. The increase in cancer cases at the national level is estimated to be around 4.9% over recent years, and the numbers are expected to rise further.
Goa cancer cases are similarly increasing and reflecting an urgent requirement for targeted interventions for prevention and early detection. In comparison to the national scene, Goa's initiatives have been quite impressive but still not enough to stop the surge. The state has implemented measures such as free screening programmes, collaborations for early detection, and plans for a tertiary cancer care centre in Bambolim. Also, Goa is the first State to implement value-based pricing as a way of making life-saving drugs affordable.
The rapid jump in cases, however, shows that Goa needs to do more. There is certainly one major area where the State is failing miserably - food adulteration. People have been a witnesses to food adulteration in various forms. Synthetic dyes, harmful chemicals, and low-quality substitutes dominate the consumer space. Today, from fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, and even soft drinks are loaded with ingredients that can have severe health repercussions in the long run. The Food and Drug Administration has a massive job at hand to regulate and monitor food quality and enforce safety standards. The government will have to look beyond the isolated raids and expand the FDA to reach every corner of the State. Preventing the entry of carcinogenic adulterants into the food chain is a crucial step towards safeguarding public health.
Co-occurrence of cancer and diabetes has been exacerbated by lifestyle choices popular among Goa residents. Low emphasis on fitness, high tobacco and alcohol consumption, bad diets, and increased stress levels are some of the most prominent contributors to the spike in NCDs. Doctors report a significant increase in cardiovascular-related emergencies among young adults, with people under 40 years falling prey to heart attacks and strokes. An average citizen in Goa suffers from diabetes and high cholesterol, and that’s no surprise.
The data provided in the Rajya Sabha is alarming and will need the State to take massive steps to course-correct. Providing facilities is definitely good, but that does not solve the problem. The State authorities have a humongous task at hand, given the average lifestyle in Goa. Prevention should be the main focus through continuous awareness programmes. Screening needs to be amplified, coupled with easy access to affordable and the latest treatment.
It is only through unflinching resolve, policy changes, active involvement of the FDA, provision of funds, and community participation that Goa will be able to fight this silent epidemic and ensure better days for its citizens.
