Abstract
This study aims to analyse the situation of Cancer disease and demographic
characteristics of Cancer patients in 8 Upper Northern provinces which are Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan and Mae Hong Son. It also analyses
the distribution of environmental-related health problem in the area, and suggest for further
research questions in health and environment problem-solving and policy for the Upper
North. This study analyses the overview of regional and provincial levels by using secondary
data from related organization, in particular, the provincial public health offices and Cancer
Units in both Chiang Mai and Lampang.
The study result shows that the Northern region had the highest rate of Cancer
patients, and Cancer deaths have continuously be the first rank in cause of death in every
province in the Upper North. Lamphun province had the highest increase rate of Cancer
deaths, for 8.5 times between 1999-2009. Lampang had the highest prevalence rate during
the same period, with the rate of 23 per thousand. Cancer type or position mostly found in
Northern provinces is Lung Cancer which are found mostly in Male patients. Other
environmental-related health problem is Respiratory Disease which has been the major
disease found in the Upper North, and Mae Hong Son province had the highest rate of
Respiratory Disease patients (61 per cent).
Results found from this research indicate that the population of the Upper North has
been threatened by polluted environment, especially from air pollution. Not only being
enhance by its topography, climate, and settlement locations, but also by human activities s
including urban growth, economic development, lifestyle, beliefs, and culture of its population
which have accelerated and worsened the air polluted situation. Therefore, there is an urgent
needed to solve and prevent this threatened situation.
