The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) at Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital will observe the
National Cancer Awareness Day on November 7.
Additional director, medical, Dr B Paul Thaliath said cancer refers to a group of diseases which share similar characteristics. Cancer can affect all living cells in the body, at all ages and in both genders. The causation is multi factorial and the disease process differs at different sites. Tobacco is the single most important identified risk factor for cancer, he said.
He said diagnostic work-up, treatment methods and outcome of treatment are not uniform for all cancers. "Advanced technology is required in many situations and ongoing research initiatives might lead to better understanding of the disease and its control,'' Dr Paul added.
The control of cancer requires the effective implementation of knowledge derived from more than two decades of successful research. It is now known that over one-third of cancers are preventable, and one-third potentially curable provided they are diagnosed early in their course, he added.
Further, the quality of life of patients with incurable disease can be improved with palliative care. "Financial and geographic constraints, and lack of manpower have contributed to the urban concentration of facilities. An unestimated number of cancers diagnosed in the population are not treated," said Dr Paul.
In majority cases, cancer is detected in the advanced stage and this adds to the already high morbidity, morality and expenditure. Treatment results are about 20% less than what is observed for similar conditions in more developed countries, mostly due to late diagnosis and inappropriate treatment, said Dr Paul. "Paediatric cancers are highly curable but this has not been achieved in India due to lack of access to quality care and lack of support systems,'' he added.
On the occasion of Cancer Awareness Day, RCC will organise a marathon race for schoolchildren which will be flagged off from the hospital campus by Maj Gen A K Sahni. A street play on cancer awareness will also be performed by the NCC cadets.
Later, a public awareness function will be held which will be presided by commissioner, Allahabad division, Uma Dhar Dwivedi. Maj Gen A Sahni will be the chief guest. Dr D C Doval, chief oncologist, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi will deliver the key note address on "Journey of cancer from incurable to a chronic disease". Dr A K Diwan, oncosurgeon will speak on the recent development in cancer treatment.
