World Cancer Day: Surge the Cancer Awareness

Ludhiana, February 2, 2014: Every year World Cancer Day is marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce death and illness caused by cancer by 2020. World Cancer Day is a chance to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconceptions about the disease. WHO has been constantly working in the field of awareness about cancer by celebrating a theme every year. This year’s theme is “Debunk the myths”
Dr. Kunal Jain, Head Medical Oncology Unit, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana takes the opportunity this year to spread awareness as he believes there is a need for demystifying the cancer myths.
According to National Cancer Registry Programme data collected by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), every hour, cancer kills 50 people in India while 100 other people are diagnosed with it within the same period. Annually about 4,40,000 people die of various types of cancers in India, while 7 to 9 lakhs are diagnosed with them. At any given moment there are 2.6 million cancer patients in the country. Cancer is climbing the Indian graph due to rapid lifestyle changes, adding nearly a million new cases every year.
Dr. Kunal said that a person should not neglect the key signs and symptoms like an unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body; A change in the size, shape or colour of a mole; A sore that does not heal; A mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer. There are also other signs like persistent cough or croaky voice that lasts longer than three weeks; Breathlessness; Coughing up blood; Difficulty in swallowing or indigestion; Changes in bowel or bladder habits; unexplained weight loss or heavy night sweats and an unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer than four weeks.
He further explains that, over the years there has been a change in pattern of cancer and its treatment. In terms of cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival, the picture has changed almost beyond recognition.In the 1950s, survival from cancer was poor. Damaging surgery and relatively unsophisticated radiotherapy were the main treatments, assuming the disease was detected in time for anything to be done. Today’s diagnostic tests, screening methods, keyhole surgery, highly targeted radiotherapy, arsenal of cancer drugs and supportive care for side effectswere far beyond the imagination of the doctors at that time.These have increased the number of people who live disease-free for long periods of time. New breakthroughs in cancer research and early diagnosis have made it much more treatable. It is estimated that 40% of cancer patients reach or exceed the five year survivor mark!
A large percentage of cancer is caused by non-heredity factors such as lifestyle, dietary practices, level of physical activity, personal hygiene, etc. Also from epidemiological studies, it is clear that 70-90% reasons of developing cancer are environmental and related to the lifestyle of a person and so, to a great extent, it is preventable. Dr. Kunal adds that, there are ways to reduce the chances of getting cancer by eating a healthy balanced diet which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and limited fat. One should maintain a healthy weight and make lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and quit smoking. Avoid risky behaviours like practicing safe sex and not sharing needles and get regular medical care
Finally Dr. Kunal states that Greater awareness and education about cancer can lead to positive change at an individual, community and policy level and across the continuum of cancer care. Each one of us certainly has something to contribute in this war against cancer in various ways like spreading awareness (through campaigns, publications), research, discovery, philanthropy and personal commitments (following healthy life-style, abdicating malice like tobacco and alcohol, regular screening and health check-ups).// ludhiana news online, ludhiana news in English, ludhiana news, ludhiana current news, ludhiana news live, Ludhiana breaking news, Ludhiana headlines, Ludhiana latest news, punjab news, india news, punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news,

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