Aug 18, 2025: The analysis of the data of cancer patients reported at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital (BMCH) here between 2020 and 2024 has revealed an unusual and worrisome trend from figures pertaining to the Sanganer area of the state capital.
According to hospital records, this leading superspecialty hospital saw 14,512 consecutive cancer patients from 2020 to 2024. Among them the male female ratio was 1.5 : 1.0 (Male : Female 3 : 2).
During the preceding four-year period, 23 of them came from the Pink City's Sanganer area, which is a relatively smaller region. According to Dr. Gopal Kabra, Director (Clinical), BMC Hospital, the data contain a "very high preponderance of female patients," which is unusual and concerning. 15 of the 23 Sanganer patients were female. “Though 23 patientsis too small to arrive at a conclusion, it certainly gives a worrisome indicator to researchers and health administrators to explore the cause that selectively effecting the female population!” Dr. Kabra stated He said the Histopathology Department of BMCH is a centre approved for reporting histopathologically confirmed cases of cancer to the National Center for Disease Informatics and Research for ICMR’s Indian Cancer Registry.
The relative prevalence of the five most common types of cancer was found when ICD-coded data from histopathologically confirmed cancer patients was analyzed. This shows that a maximum of 31.55 per cent of the 14,512 patients were suffering from Lip, Oral Cavity and pharynx (ICD C00-C14), 14.90 per cent from Digestive Organs (ICD C15-C26), 12.17% from Breast Cancer (ICD C50), 11 % from Respiratory and Intrathoracic Organs (ICD C30-C39) and a minimum of 8.19 per cent from Female Genital Organs (C51-C58).
"Recent reports suggested high pollution of the surface water bodies with toxic effluents from the textile and other industries in Sanganer municipal segment of Jaipur," Kabra stated regarding the finding in the Sanganer area. Green vegetables are grown extensively in this highly contaminated water. “The very high preponderance of female (15 :: 8) patients from the locality has given rise a question, whether, the contaminating carcinogens in Sanganer are selectively effecting the female population
The contaminants contain known hormone disruptors. There are more hormone sensitive organs and tissues in the reproductive age group of females ; Is this the cause of female preponderance in Sanganer “, Dr Kabra wondered.