Parsis prone to cancer

A study conducted by the Mumbai Cancer Registry, a unit of the Indian Cancer Society, reveals that a larger number of Parsis, especially women, have cancer as compared to other communities, reports Daily News and Analysis (DNA) of February 4, 2010. "The incidence (of the disease) was much less among other communities,” Dr Balkrishna B. Yeole, director of the Registry, informed DNA. The reasons cited for this trend were food habits, lifestyle and life expectancy in the community. "Most Parsis are non-vegetarian, marry very late and have very high life expectancy, increasing their chances of getting cancer,” the doctor mentioned. Delayed childbirth due to late marriages aggravates the problem, DNA noted.

Mumbai Cancer Registry’s data till 2008, compiled from more than 100 hospitals within the Bombay Municipal Corporation limits, reveals that 122 Parsi males per 1,00,000 and 178 females per 1,00,000 had various types of cancer. In telling contrast, among Hindus the numbers were 75 males and 97 women, among Muslims 66 males and 73 women and among Christians 85 males and 81 females per 1,00,000. At present the Registry is compiling data pertaining to 2009.

Dr Mandar Nadkarni, consultant breast surgeon at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital told DNA, "Parsi women have higher incidence of breast cancer... mainly because they get married very late and thus childbirth is also delayed.” The chances of breast cancer double in women giving birth after the age of 30. Another reason is breast-feeding for less than one year. Longevity compounds matters, Nadkarni feels.

A detailed study on Parsis and cancer is currently being compiled by the Tata Memorial Hospital which is also looking at genetic factors as contributors.