CHANDIGARH: Eating non-vegetarian diet and not exercising are the main reason for causing cancer, say PGI doctors while talking to patients on Monday.

The PGI sees 1,200 to 1,500 cases of

in a year with patients from the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

"Breast cancer accounts for 25% of female. Earlier, it was the cervix cancer that topped the charts. According to the Punjab and Haryana cancer registry here, the incidence of breast cancer is 28 to 29% in one lakh population. This is higher than the national average," said Prof Rakesh Kapoor, department of radiotherapy, PGI.

While cautioning the patients about signs to watch, he said: "If one sees a painless lump in the breast or in the armpit or bloody discharge from the nipples, immediately consult your doctor." He recommended that above the age of 40 years, women must get

done. However, those between 25 years and 30 years must physically examine themselves for any lump.

Attributing the growing incidence of breast cancer to drinking alcohol and smoking, Dr Kapoor said: "Women have started drinking and smoking and this can be one of the reasons for breast cancer. Also, red meat is associated with colon cancer."

Gurcharan Kaur, a breast cancer patient from Bhatinda, said: "I have spent more than four lakhs on treatment at the PGI. This includes the surgery, chemotherapy and other medicines. I am now fine after the treatment."