CHENNAI: Stomach cancer has emerged as the most prevalent form of the malignancy among men in Tamil Nadu. Preliminary studies show that stomach cancer contributes to about 12 per cent of all cases reported in the city and that the prevalence was high in metro cities when compared to rural areas, said experts. They have undertaken a study to find out the exact reason for this.
“Identifying the difference in the molecular change between that of a gastric cancer case and a normal person can help find the actual cause for the cancer. It can also go a long way in finding vaccines. We have collected some data and will complete the study in six months after which we will get the results,” said Dr R Swaminathan, additional director and HoD, Department of Biostatistics and Cancer Registry, Cancer Institute (WIA).
The Cancer Institute, Adyar, is conducting the study in TN and Tripura on gastric cancer. Both the centres in Chennai and Agartala were chosen as the prevalence was high. Doctors at the institute said it was a multi-centric study in gastric cancer pathogenesis which was started last year in the regional cancer centres in Chennai and Agartala. The aim of the study was to find the molecular-level changes that contributed to developing gastric cancer, thereby finding the actual cause.