In 2011, these two diseases were seen on an alarming rise, especially in the age group of 20-30. Alarming as it is, hypertension, usually associated with as age ripens, has now become a common ailment affecting all age groups, and cancer cases which were rare earlier has escalated with 3,500 new cases reported each year.[break]
Hypertension is a rapidly increasing but relatively neglected problem in Nepal. One in three adults suffers from it, yet it goes by unnoticed till it manifests in a health scare like stroke or kidney failure.
“Patients have been diagnosed with kidney problems like glomerulonephritis (inflammation of small blood vessels in the kidney), tumors in adrenal glands and other cardiovascular conditions. Further tests have shown that they are also suffering from elevated blood pressure,” says Dr Kamal Raj Thapa, MD resident at Bir Hospital.
Thapa’s statement asserts the fact that hypertension has indeed been on a gradual rise in 2011 with more and more youngsters suffering from it.
Secondary causes like cardiovascular conditions or renal failure has led to high blood pressure in some cases but 85% of all cases are essential hypertension, which means that the cause of the elevation in blood pressure is unknown.
“This year, health awareness has encouraged a lot of people to come in for routine checkups or with a simple complaint like headache, and they are generally found to have high blood pressure.”
Dr. Ranjit Singh Baral, Consultant Cardiologist at Norvic International Hospital and Ganga Lal Hospital states that that a lifestyle which is largely dependent on fast food and meat products, alcohol consumption, smoking and stress are the main causes for people suffering from high blood pressure problems from an early age in recent times. Smoking is the main culprit for hypertension even in rural areas.
“Until a few years back, it was only people above 40 who had hypertension issues but in recent years and more so in the past year, it is people in their 20’s and 30’s who are facing this problem. I’ve had a few young boys in their teens come in with elevated blood pressure and have had to start medication,” says Baral.
Another major health issue in 2011 has been cancer. There is no exact cancer incidence data available but it is estimated that the incidence of cancer is approximately 140 per 100,000 of population.
Based on this estimate, it can be assumed that there are about 60,000 cancer patients in our country.
The most common cases of cancer are bronchial cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, stomach cancer. and leukemia.
Dr Rajendra Baral, Oncologist at B and B Hospital and Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital states that in recent years it is youngsters who are seen suffering from cancer and almost every household knows a cancer victim.
The incidence of lung cancer due to smoking is at an all-time high among males and breast cancer is the most common cancer among females.
“Breast cancer is a curable cancer and early detection helps in saving lives. Earlier, you had to go to India for diagnosis but now with good diagnostic centers running in our own country, people can get checked very easily but still I see cases of end-stage cancers which I blame on lack of proper care and cancer awareness,” says Baral who advises all to go for annual checkups and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Rare cancers like Ewing’s Sarcoma (bone or soft tissue cancer) and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (cancer involving a subtype of white blood cells called lymphocytes) which were previously unheard of in Nepal were also diagnosed in 2011.
“Cancer cases are increasing every year and young people are being affected by it and this has been true especially in the past year where I’ve had patients as young as 12-13 year olds. Some cases are genetic but most cancers are due to the lifestyle we lead and the environment we live in.”
Adopting a healthier lifestyle by choosing not to smoke, drinking less, and focusing on a balanced diet alongside incorporating cardiovascular exercise in your daily routine can not only cut the risks of cancer by half but will also keep your blood pressure in check and maintain optimum pressure of 120/80.
It is mostly lifestyle changes that have brought about these problems; and the right lifestyle modifications can keep them under control and even prevent these deadly diseases to a certain extent.
Both hypertension and cancer are worrisome conditions that are largely affecting Nepalis today, especially the young. But positive changes in our lifestyle are a measure that we cannot shy away from.
Sure, it is a good sign if one is confident of one’s health but what is the harm in going for a routine checkup to affirm that we are as healthy as we believe?
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