Srinagar, Feb 13 (KNO): Despite a surge in cancer cases in the Kashmir Valley, the scarcity of PET-CT scan machines for staging and treatment assessment poses significant challenges. With only one machine operational at SKIMS Soura, patients at GMC Srinagar encounter difficulties in accessing prompt and accurate cancer diagnostics.GMC Srinagar, where approximately 7,000 new cancer cases were registered, currently operates without a PET Scan machine crucial for cancer detection and treatment evaluation.Oncologists, speaking to Kashmir News Observer (KNO), underscored the pivotal role of PET-CT in modern oncology practices. However, the valley is equipped with just one machine, located at SKIMS Soura.Dr. Shabnam, an oncologist, emphasized the urgent need for additional PET Scan machines in the valley, stating that the current capacity falls short of the increasing demand.Dr. Aijaz, another oncologist, highlighted the significance of PET Scan in the entire cancer care spectrum – from initial diagnosis to treatment, prognosis, surveillance, and relapse monitoring.PET-CT, an acronym for Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography, integrates PET and CT scanners to create 3D images, providing a hybrid view of functional and anatomical details.Medical experts argue for the immediate establishment of PET-CT facilities at GMC Srinagar, given the escalating cancer cases in the region. They note that patients endure prolonged waiting times at the sole machine in SKIMS Soura, exacerbating the challenges, especially for those unable to afford private clinics or travel outside the valley.The professionals stress the role of PET-CT in guiding treatment decisions, detecting primary cancer sites, and influencing chemotherapy choices. They advocate for the availability of PET Scan facilities at SMHS hospital to enhance healthcare provisions in the community.According to available data, SKIMS Soura has registered around 45,000 new cancer cases since 2013, while GMC Srinagar has reported approximately 7,000 cases since 2017. Union Health Ministry data for Jammu and Kashmir reveals an increasing trend in cancer cases from 2019 to 2022, totaling 51,577 reported cases.The region also witnessed 35,623 reported cancer-related deaths between 2018 and 2022. A 2012 study by the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) linked the rising cancer incidence to dietary practices, lifestyle choices, and the consumption of foods with high salt content.
Limited Access to PET-CT Scan Machines Impedes Timely Cancer Diagnostics in Kashmir Valley
