tiol Cancer Awareness Day at cancer institute

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, Nov 7: The tiol cancer awareness day was celebrated at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati on 7th November, 2015 with an interactive programme, attended by the public, cancer patients and their families, doctors, nurses and staff of BBCI, social activists  and representatives of Print and Electronic Media, a press release said.

In the iugural speech Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI, elaborated the objectives and importance of creating awareness towards cancer in the general population. Describing the cancer scerio of the county he said the WHO have found that one third of cancer patients can be full cured, another third can have an early diagnosis and effective magement, while a third can be maged by good palliative care.

“However, in our country more-then two thirds of patients present with advanced disease where early detection and treatment for cure would have been possible. While globally there are about one crore cancer patients in any year, about 10 lakhs are in India. About 80% of cancer patients in our county are from urban areas, but done to iccessibility of cancer care, death rates amongst the 20% rural cancer population remains very high. Most cancers can be prevented by stopping the use of tobacco, modifying lifestyle habits and preventing infections by few known cancer causing viruses,” he said.

Kataki said that it is important for a cancer patient and his family to take appropriate treatment and maintain mental strength. “The treatment of cancer is long, arduous and expensive. Therefore taking treatment near their home is beneficial to the patient and the family.”

Dr B K Das, talked about breast cancer which has become curable due to scientific progress. Similarly, Dr D Barman elaborated on preventable and curative aspect of cancers in the female reproductive systems and Dr R J Das described the burden of cancers of Head & Neck in the country which is caused largely by use of Tobacco.

Meanwhile On the occasion of tiol Cancer Awareness Day today , a sensitization program for raising cancer awareness was organized at Damdama Higher Secondary School by the Department of Preventive Oncology of Dr. B Barooah Cancer Institute where 1200 students, 50 faculties and other community leaders participated, a press communiqué said. Presentations by Dr. Sraba Misra Bhagabaty and Upasa Sharma were followed by a one and half hours long interactive session with the students and faculties of the institute. The programme was followed by a pledge taken by the students to raise cancer awareness in the community and to avoid tobacco in any form.