E-Paper
Now, schoolkids to ?run? cancer out
'RUN 4 Cancer', a marathon race for the school children, will be organised to motivate people to join the battle against global killer, on the National Cancer Awareness Day on November 7.
'RUN 4 Cancer', a marathon race for the school children, will be organised to motivate people to join the battle against global killer, on the National Cancer Awareness Day on November 7.
'Cancer and Women' will be this year's theme of National Cancer Awareness Day, which also commemorates the birth anniversary of Madam Curie. SSP Vijay Singh Meena will flag off the marathon race from Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital.
This year, the Regional Cancer Centre, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, has decided to involve teachers and school principals in the cancer awareness programme. A Cancer Awareness Lecture will be organised for them on November 12. The programme will be presided over by Commissioner Allahabad Division RN Tripathi, said Dr B Paul Thaliath, Additional Director Medical and HoD Radiation Oncology.
Dr Paul said that in order to discuss the recent advances in cancer treatment, the XIX Annual Convention of the Radiation Oncologist of India (UP Chapter) will be held at Allahabad on November 11 and 12. Dr Kamal Sahani, Director General, Medical Education, UP, will inaugurate the convention. About 150 cancer specialists in the region will gather at the convention and share their knowledge about cancer treatment, he added.
Dr Paul said cancer was no more an incurable disease. "Majority of the cancers reported in our country can either be prevented or detected in a reasonably early stage and can be effectively treated and cured. But still cure eludes many due to ignorance of the basic facts of cancer. Many myths and many superstitions still prevail, especially in the illiterate rural population," he added.
Dr Paul said the commonest cancers seen in women were of the uterine cervix, breast and tobacco related cancers of the oral cavity and throat.
"But with the enhancement of the knowledge on the tumour behaviour, genetic character of these cancers and development of newer drugs the cure rate of these cancers have significantly increased. Modern cancer therapy is aimed not only at cure but also reducing the complications and improving the quality of life.
Vaccines are now available against the HPV virus which is identified to stimulate the cervical cancers, thereby preventing these cancers. The concept of the current treatment is organ preservation to retain the function and cosmetic appearance. Breast conservative treatments are commonly done with minimal surgery for removal of only the breast lump and further treating the remaining breast with specialised radiation therapy. Mutilating surgeries are also avoided in head and neck and cervical cancers," he said.
Dr Paul said that annual check up was advocated by the WHO for the women above 40. However, the Indian women are shy and reluctant to come forward for the check ups because of the fear and social stigma attached to it," he added.
