Kolkata, Oct 17: The Ganga river, which millions of Indians consider as holy, has now become a deadly source of cancer, says a study conducted by the National Cancer Registry Programme (NRCP) under the Indian council of Medical Research, reports Times of India.
The study throws up shocking findings. River Ganga is thick with heavy metals and lethal chemicals that cause cancer, it says.
"We know that the incidence of cancer was highest in the country in areas drained by the Ganga. We also know why. Now, we are going deeper into the problem. Hopefully, we'll be able to present a report to the Union health ministry in a month or two," NCRP head A Nandkumar said.
The worst-hit stretches are east Uttar Pradesh, the flood plains of Bengal and Bihar. Cancer of the gallbladder, kidneys, food pipe, prostate, liver, kidneys, urinary bladder and skin are common in these parts.
These cases are far more common and frequently found here than elsewhere in the country, the study says.
