Padmavati Prabhu
Panaji
On an average, over four cases of cancer were reported every day in 2025 at the medical oncology department of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) at Bambolim.
“The medical oncology department saw nearly 1,550 cases of cancer in 2025. We do have female preponderance, with almost 58% of the cases reported being that of women and 42% of the cases those of men. But it has remained the same in the last five years and there is no change in the trend seen,” said Dr Anupama Borker, Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at GMC.
Stressing that cancer is a lifestyle disease, Dr Borker advised adoption of a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet to prevent the disease.
“Tobacco is the worst killer leading to not only cancer but also a lot of cardiovascular and other diseases. As far as cancer is concerned, tobacco can cause 13-15 different kinds of malignancies. Secondly, alcohol is a proven carcinogen.
Many people think that alcohol in moderation is okay, but even in moderation it is not advisable to prevent cancer. And the combination of both – tobacco and alcohol is the worst,” she said.
Dr Borker stressed the need for modification in lifestyle to increase the level of physical activity and exercise, decrease in sedentary lifestyles and opting for healthy dietary choices.
“The local cuisine of a particular region, which is grown and available in the area, is the balanced diet of that area. We are moving away from home-cooked healthy food to ultra processed packaged foods, it may be aerated drinks, frozen foods etc. it should be completely avoided,” she said.
Pointing out that the incidence of obesity is increasing at an unprecedented rate, which, she said, is alarming, Dr Borker said, “Obesity is directly related to a lot of cancers like breast, pancreatic and ovarian. Accordingly, it is advisable to decrease the use of processed and high fat food and increase intake of vegetables and fruits. Also, dedicate at least 30 minutes per day for any exercise including jogging, brisk walking, cycling or any sport that makes you sweat and increases your heart rate to almost double.”
To prevent cancers in women, she advised that awareness and screening is the key. “All women should be aware of their health. They should make an effort to undergo a regular monthly self breast examination and mammography starting at the age of 40 years and Pap smear from the 20s as recommended. Many a time we may not be able to prevent cancer, but if we detect it at an early stage, it can be cured,” she said.
She also advised that every girl in her teens should get the HPV vaccine administered to prevent cervical cancer.
