Karwar: A survey registering cancer patients in and around Kaiga power station area and the same survey pointing that there has been an increase in number of cancer cases in the region has left the local residents constantly living under fear.
The matter has come to light during the survey conducted by the Indian Atomic Power Board and the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. However, the survey was conducted during 2010-13, the highlights of which has come to light now.
Several NGOs in the past had alleged that the cancer cases were on the rise in Kaiga area due to the functioning of the atomic power station. Following this, the district administration and the India Atomic Energy Board conducted a survey through Tata Memorial Hospital in Karwar district during 2010-13, specifically focusing on Kaiga. Though the survey continued post 2013 as well, the findings are not available.
According to the registry, Karwar taluk alone had 317 cancer patients during 2010-13. The ratio of women cancer patients is slightly higher to the men.
Cancer of the lungs, mouth, tongue etc were common in men while cancer of breast, uterus, ovary, thyroid were common among women.
The registry points that the cases of cancer around Kaiga are way lesser when compared to cases found around other atomic plants in the country as well as the world.
The locals suspect that the cases have only shot up during recent times.
However, another fact is that there are no proofs to support the argument that the condition has either been triggered or spread due to the impact of the atomic power station in the vicinity.
