Srinagar, April 28 -- Srinagar-Kashmir continues to witness a relatively high burden of esophageal cancer, with medical experts attributing the trend to a mix of cultural practices, environmental exposure, and improved diagnostic capabilities over time.

Dr Shahid Wani, Head of the Oncology Department at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, said that Kashmir forms part of the well-known "Asian esophageal cancer belt"-a geographical stretch with a high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The belt extends from the Caspian littoral of Iran, particularly Golestan Province, through Central Asia to northern China, with Kashmir sharing similar disease patterns.

Dr Wani explained that the prevalence of esophageal cancer in the...