A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND MACROBIOTIC APPROACH OF CANCER AMONG THE MALE TRIBAL POPULATION OF SHILLON

Incidence of cancer in northeast is the highest in India. Nutrition intervention plays a vital role in the management of postponement of cancer. Objectives: To find out the prevalence rate of different types of cancer among the selected male tribal population of Shillong and dietary habits of these tribes the present study was carried out. Methods: Three hospitals from the city of Shillong was followed up for a period of three months, a total of 125 male inpatients and outpatients visiting during the period were interviewed with well-structured interview to collect data on background information, disease history, anthropometric measurement, clinical assessment, biochemical assessment, lifestyle or health hazards, dietary hazards and dietary assessment including weighment survey to assess for the nutrient intake of the cancer patients for three consecutive days. The PGSGA scoring was done to find the suitable level of intervention strategies. Nutrition intervention through Macrobiotic Approach was given to the patients and their family members using pamphlets, booklet and an e-content. Results: It was found out during the study that majority of the cancer patients were malnourished. Most of them were non- vegetarian and the rate of health hazards which was recorded among them was high with regards to intake of tobacco, betel nut and intake of alcohol. Dietary hazards also contributes equally towards the risk where it was found out that majority were consuming smoked products and intake of fruit and vegetables was very low among them. As a whole the nutrient intake of the elected 20 subsamples was found to meet the RDA except for β- carotene leading to increase chances of oxidative stress.
Conclusion: The study recommends the need of a special nutrition intervention among the selected male tribal cancer patients regarding the prevention aspects and motivation of patients to incorporate healthy lifestyle habits into their daily life in which macrobiotic approach was considered a stepping stone to accomplish the objectives.