Bihar has recorded an alarming rise in the incidence of cancer with an estimated 200,000 people suffering from the killer disease, a survey reported recently.

The survey was conducted by the Mahavir Cancer Research Institute.

Lack of awareness among the people about the disease coupled with illiteracy and poverty have exposed them to the disease, the study noted. Lack of proper medical facilities in the state added to the problem.

Of all the cases reported to the institute, 21 per cent were from Patna, followed by Vaishali district with 6.7 per cent and Muzaffarpur district with 5.7 per cent.

The study said at least 38 per cent of the cases were diagnosed in the last stage of the ailment.

Only 11 per cent were detected in the first stage of the disease, while 15 per cent are detected in the second stage, Varsha Singh, in-charge, preventive oncology at the institute, said.