Rising cancer burden in rural Amritsar leads to late diagnosis, financial stress

Amritsar: The growing cancer burden in the rural areas of Amritsar has emerged as a serious public health challenge, with the disease no longer a distant threat but a lived reality for many households.Limited access to early diagnosis and low awareness meant that many patients reached healthcare facilities only when the disease was in an advanced stage which reduced the survival chances and increased the financial strain.Health experts observed that the steady rise in cancer cases in and around Amritsar reflected a broader rural disadvantage. Breast cancer among rural women in the region has become a major concern.Cancer cases are rising sharply in Amritsar with a noticeable increase in central nervous system cancers, said Dr Manik Mahajan, adding that the trend was being linked to a highly polluted environment, pesticide-laden food and possible radiation exposure."Pollution in air, water and diet is a major concern, but radiation exposure also needs closer examination," he said. Dr Mahajan, however, noted that it was too early to identify a specific radiation source. "There is an urgent need for a thorough scientific study to establish clear causes," he stressed.Stating that cancer emerged as a major health challenge in rural Amritsar in recent years, Dr Neha Tejpal, who works with women self-help groups across the state, said lack of awareness about early symptoms, causes, and prevention often led to late detection. "People in villages tend to ignore initial warning signs due to poverty and illiteracy," she said.Recalling her experience, Dr Neha said even when patients approach the govt hospitals, they often struggled to access timely medicines and treatment, adding that although the Ayushman Bharat scheme was available, many cancer patients in Amritsar, particularly in rural areas, were unable to avail its full benefits.Dr Simarpreet Sandhu, managing director of the OTT Foundation, said a study conducted at a community health centre in Abdal, Amritsar, revealed that nearly two thirds of rural breast cancer patients were diagnosed at stage III or IV. "Late-stage detection not only lowers survival rates but also sharply increases treatment costs, placing an immense burden on families," she said.The situation in Amritsar mirrored a wider trend across Punjab. According to estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research's National Cancer Registry Programme, new cancer cases in the state increased from around 39,500 in 2021 to over 42,000 in 2024, marking a rise of about 7% in three years.Experts stressed that improving awareness, strengthening screening services, and ensuring timely access to care were critical to reversing this trend, especially in rural areas.MSID:: 127910299 413 |