Ukhrul: Dr Khanmi Kasomva, a research scientist in the United States, has expressed concerned over the prevalent cases of cancer among the tribals over the past few years and said that such trend is not a good sign.
A resident of Hungpung village in Ukhrul district, this 34-year-old Dr Khanmi Kasomva recently joined the prestigious Medical College of Wisconsin as a research scientist. He is now working on multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukaemia (blood cancer) with the most renowned hematology and oncology scientist of the USA.
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“I have a lot of questions as on why our tribal community has caught up with this economically and mentally disaster disease because among the diseases, cancer is the most complicated disease,” said the young research scientist when Ukhrul Times correspondent met with him at his native place just before he left for the US.
Though he did not comment on the root cause of the cancer cases, Dr Kasomva said that by nature, the tribals tend to consumed all kinds of spicy foods, especially chilli and smoked meat.
He further said that stomach cancer is very prone among the tribal because of not only smoking or chewing tobacco products, but consuming alcohol is also one of the biggest contributors in gastronomic related cancer. “We need to refine our lifestyle in terms of eating habit, drinking and consuming other intoxicated items,” he said.
According to him, disregard towards ones health and carelessness is another problem why the cancer cases are prevalent among tribals.
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“We don’t go for health checkup from time to time thinking that it might diagnosed some grave diseases. But that is a wrong perception because the earlier the better and we should go for timely screening to prevent from such diseases,” said Dr Kasomva.
He further informed that there are specific cancer which can be prevented easily if it diagnosed on time.
“When it comes to women, cervical cancer is one of the type that I would like to emphasise that women should go for regular screening because there is a vaccine available for cervical cancer and is one of the best ways to prevent cancer, he informed.
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Born to Luingam Kasomva and Jointy Kasomva, both farmers, Dr Khanmi Kasomva is not only the first generation from his family who has completed a PhD degree but also the first person pursuing a career as a research scientist. And that too competing among the global scientists.
“I realised that getting this kind of position now brings more responsibility for the family, church and the community. And everybody expects me to perform and outshine. It is not a pressure but I take it as an encouragement and responsibility,” said Dr Kasomva positively.
Talking about his new career in the US, Dr Kasomva said that it was his dream job, an activity which he wants to engage throughout his life.
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“In terms of Bio-Technology or Bio-Medical science research, US is the top of the notch and I am excited and looking forward to work with them and also compete in terms of research with the knowledge I have gained in the last few years,” said Dr Kasomva.
Prior to this, he was working as a postdoctoral fellow in the department of gastroenterology department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, where he works on chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. During his masters, he was also part of the summer fellowship from Indian Academy of Science, one of the finest fellowship programme for Masters students.
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