Chemicals, poor health infra to blame for rising cancer cases in state: Experts

Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a concerning rise in cancer cases over the past three years, with more than 10,000 deaths reported in just eight years. An alarming 1,500 new cases are detected annually, making Himachal the state with the second-highest cancer prevalence in India, after the Northeast, relative to its population.

Advertisement

Data from the state’s six medical colleges reveals that 32,909 cancer cases have been detected to date, with Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra, accounting for 19,135 cases — the highest in the state. The Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla and Dr YS Parmar Medical College, Nahan, follow with 11,343 and 1,471 cases, respectively.

The cancer incidence has steadily risen from 8,978 cases in 2021 to 9,566 in 2024, marking an 800 per cent increase between 2013 and 2022. However, the state’s medical infrastructure remains inadequate. Except for IGMC Shimla, no other hospital in the state has PET scan facilities, forcing patients to seek treatment in Chandigarh and Punjab.

Studies attribute the surge in cancer cases to excessive use of fertilisers and chemicals, particularly in the vegetable-growing belts of Kullu, Kangra, Lahaul Spiti, and Shimla. Adulterated food, chemical-ripened fruits, and pesticide-laden vegetables are significant contributors, compounded by deteriorating air, water, and soil quality.

A senior scientist from HP Agriculture University stated, “Adulterated foods, polluted air, and contaminated water are deteriorating public health, contributing to rising cancer cases.”

To address this, experts urge the government to curb food adulteration, enforce pollution controls, and promote organic farming. Public awareness and community participation are equally critical, encouraging individuals to grow their own food and adopt sustainable practices. Strict penalties for food adulteration and the sale of spurious medicines are also necessary to tackle the crisis effectively.