Cancer walkathon taken out in city by State Cancer Institute

Cancer walkathon taken out in city by State Cancer Institute

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Cancer Institute (SCI), along with the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) organized a five-km Cancer Walkathon from SCI to Ulubari flyover on Sunday. The event was organized on the second anniversary of SCI at Guwahati to create cancer awareness and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Cancer Walkathon is being organized with an objective to aware people about cancer, risk factors, symptoms and treatment and facilities available for the treatment of this disease; mobilize the community towards screening for early detection of cancer; mobilize for common cancers after the age of 30 years and to create awareness about the ill-effects of consuming tobacco.

According to Global Adults Tobacco Survey 2017, 50% of all cancers and 90% of all oral cancers are due to tobacco consumption. Every year 32,000 new cancer cases are detected in Assam because of consuming tobacco in form of smoking and chewing. 70% of the cancer cases are presented at a late stage.

The use of tobacco products are the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. Cancer is more prevalent in people above the age of 30.

Free screening will be done for all the participants taking part in Cancer Walkathon. Students, defence personnel, teachers, doctors, nurses, health professionals, government institutions, non-government organizations and community-based organizations take took in the event.

Vara Prasad, CEO of ACCF said, “The purpose of Walkathon is to assess the level of awareness and impact of awareness programmes in adoption of safe practices in prevention and early detection and helping people to understand the signs and symptoms of cancer, encourage them to know what’s normal for them and give them the confidence to speak their concerns”

Dr Nirmal Hazarika said, “To take the message of cancer to the community it is important to conduct regular events which are inclusive. Cancer Walkathon 2019 saw a participation of more than 2,500 people. Walk a Step Ahead of Cancer to Beat Cancer is an apt slogan or message in the walkathon since most of the cancers are preventable and it is upon each one to take preventive steps like self-awareness, cancer screening and tobacco control.”

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