Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 7: Cancer a disease as old as human civilization is today the world’s second leading cause of death. Estimates are that in the coming years cancer will very soon be the leading cause of death and that the numbers will be more in developing countries like India where resources to treat cancer are in short supply and people are ignorant of the warning signs.

In recognition of this grave fact facing mankind, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) has earmarked World Cancer Day to be observed around the world on February 4 to work toward and to make it a global health priority by emphasizing on raising awareness on cancer at global level. The UICC’s objective is to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration written in 2008 and the principal objective is to reduce the incidence of deaths due to cancer, to create awareness in the community and to end cancer care disparities and misconceptions. World Cancer Day works on a theme and the theme for this year is ‘I Am and I Will’ an empowering call urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future.

How people can help themselves:

1. Quitting smoking and staying away from tobacco smoke reduces the chances of cancer.

2. Drinking less alcohol can lower the risk for liver, breast, colorectal (colon), mouth and throat cancers.

3. Keeping a healthy weight can reduce the chances of developing breast, colon, endometrial, prostate and ovarian cancers.

4. Knowing about signs and symptoms of cancer and practicing early detection guidelines. This is because early detection and timely treatment can cure many cancers
fully.

5. Educating the parents to inculcate a healthy lifestyle in children and having the girl child vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV).

How people can help others:

1. Social support is very important for survivors of cancer. Support individuals with cancer and survivors with the physical and emotional impacts of cancer.

2. Survivors of cancer should educate themselves and others about the link between certain lifestyle behaviours – Including smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity with the risk of cancer.

3. Survivors of cancer should help in dispelling rumours and myths that lead to stigma and discrimination against people with cancer in some communities.

4. Survivors of cancer should encourage schools and workplaces to implement nutrition, physical activity and no smoking policies that help people adopt healthy habits for life.

5. Survivors of cancer with the help of the general public should call on government leaders to commit adequate resources to reduce deaths due to cancer and provide a better quality of life for patients and survivors.

Catching cancer early

1. Prevention is always better than cure and screening tests that can help find cancer early is the easiest way to treat and cure many cancers.

2. Tobacco users and alcohol drinkers should have a regular oral check-up for early signs of cancer and seek immediate medical attention and care.

3. Women should start getting screened for cervical cancer at age 21.

4. It is strongly suggested that after the age of 20, a woman must do breast self-examination every month, and must be evaluated by a clinician, at least once every two years till she attains 40 years of age. In addition to this, it is also recommended that women above 40 years undergo a clinical examination and radiological imaging using a mammogram every year. Women should continue screening mammography as long as their overall health is good.

5. Both men and women should get checked for colorectal cancer after the age of 50.

6. Smokers should quit and have regular screening for lung cancer development.

Wellness after cancer:

1. World Cancer Day also emphasizes on the care of survivors of cancer. This is because there is a high chance that the person diagnosed with cancer can develop metastasis or a second cancer again. Efforts are to be made toward lowering the risk by quitting smoking, staying active, and seeking regular follow-up care from the doctor.

2. Share stories about their own cancer experiences, communicate with decision-makers and join support groups to help make a positive change for all people affected by cancer.

3. When possible, use work and other daily activities during and after treatment of cancer as opportunities to maintain normality, routine, stability, social contact and income.

Mangalore Institute of Oncology (MIO), the only super-specialty hospital in coastal Karnataka, North Kerala and Goa region, has the state-of-the- art treatment facility for cancer. Dr Suresh Rao the director of MIO stated that commemorating World Cancer Day is aimed at saving lac of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and by recommending governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease. Dr Rao said that MIO has always placed importance on cancer awareness and that this year a programme was organized at Bejai KSRTC bus station to educate the general public and the transport staff on the symptoms, major risk factors and treatment. "In accordance with World Cancer Day’s objective, hospitals have a social responsibility towards the economically marginalized people and that the 'MIO hospital health card' given to APL card holders offered a substantial financial concession for cancer treatment.

"This year’s theme 'I Am And I Will' is very apt as the only person who can save you from cancer is you and by abstaining from tobacco and alcohol, and more importantly by following a healthy lifestyle and being vigilant to the symptoms.