The age-adjusted expansion rate of cancer in men was highest in the Aizawl district of Mizoram between 2012 and 2016 in the country. According to the report of the National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) 2012-2016, Aizawl reported the highest number of cancer cases in men at a rate of 269.4 per one lakh population.

In the case of women, Arunachal Pradesh's Pupumpare district has the highest number of cancer cases among women at a rate of 219.8 per lakh population, while Aizawl is second in cancer cases with 214.1 cancer cases.

Aizawl was followed by cancer cases in East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya at 227.9 per lakh and 213 men in Kamrup (metropolis) of Assam. The cancer incidence rate is the number of new cancer cases per one lakh, while the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate is the age-adjusted average of new cancer cases in different age groups.

Lung and stomach cancer most

According to the study, Aizawl has the highest rate of lung cancer in women and stomach cancer in men as compared to non-Asian countries. Mizoram had 8059 cases of cancer during 2012-16.

Of these, 3736 were women. A maximum of 4080 cancer cases was found in Aizawl. One out of every five people aged 0-74 in the state is at risk of getting cancer. In Aizawl, one in four men and one in every five women are at risk of cancer.

Excess tobacco consumption is responsible

Cancer cases related to tobacco use are also the highest in the northeastern states. National Health Campaign (NHM) director Dr. Eric Jomavia said, "The maximum incidence of cancer in Mizoram is due to excessive use of tobacco and disorderly lifestyle".

He said that the state government will establish a super specialty hospital of cancer at Aizawl at a cost of 500 crores.