Breast cancer, hypertension on the rise in Goa

Panaji, May 8 (IANS) Over 250 new breast cancer cases are detected every year and hypertension is playing havoc with the health of Goans, who are otherwise known for their laid-back lifestyle, a survey said.

The survey conducted by Indus Health Plus, a preventive healthcare company, also revealed that cardiovascular diseases top the list of lifestyle ailments in Goa, followed by obesity and hypertension.

"Over 250 new breast cancer cases are detected every year in Goa," said joint managing director of Indus Health Plus, Amol Naikwadi, Thursday.

He also said the number of women contracting cardiovascular diseases was increasing in Goa.

The survey was based on a sample of more than 8,000 people from both rural and urban Goa in the 25-65 age group, he added.

Naikwadi said the sample survey revealed that 45-50 percent of the people were habituated to consumption of alcohol.

"High intake of junk food and alcohol has increased the numbers drastically... Goans consume much more than the average number of drinks in other places," he said.

The survey also revealed that 20 to 30 percent of the youngsters, in the 25-35 age group, were obese, while over 20 percent of the population was suffering from diabetes.

"8.78 percent of the men and 7.08 percent of the women between the age group of 35-40 years suffer from hypertension because of work and related stress. Smoking, lack of exercise added to the high levels of blood pressure amongst youngsters in Goa," Naikwadi said.