Pollution a major cause for cancer, gastro and heart disorders, say experts

Rising environmental pollution remains a major cause behind increasing cases of cancer, gastrointestinal and cardiac ailments in South Bengal over the past few years, pointed out a panel of expert physicians from the respective fields.

The physicians were addressing media persons today while discussing the growing burden of women’s cancer, advanced surgical conditions and cardiovascular diseases in the region.

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“The ratio of cancer patients alone in the society has already reached 6:1, which is what the World Health Organisation had predicted,” said Dr Arunava Roy, senior consultant, Gynaecological Oncology, Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata. He also said: “For women, cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus and other gynaecological malignancies continue to pose a significant health challenge, often due to delayed diagnosis.” He claimed: “Increasing degrees of environment pollution have played a devastating role in rising cancer cases.”

Cardiology consultant Dr Ashes Haldar equally held pollution responsible for rising frequency of cardiac disorders. “Mortality is increasingly affecting individuals at a young age due to both lifestyle changes and pollution. Dr Sumanta Dey, while speaking on advancements in gastrointestinal and minimally invasive surgeries, said: “Water pollution has mostly invited severe gastrointestinal disorders these days, and the situation is worsening day by day.”