CANCER AWARENESS DAY(4TH FEB).MEDICAL FRATERNITY COMMITMENT NECESSARY FOR A CANCER FREE WORLD –DR. CHOPRA
In a country like India which is a home to approximately 313 million illiterates (59% of them are women) the only tool to awaken people regarding the deadly killers like CANCER is to create awareness .Only this can illuminate and dissipate darkness. Above all ‘Education emancipates’.
Tracing the etymology of the word ‘CANCER’ , it is worth mentioning that it originated from Latin ‘crab or creeping ulcer’. Although known for centuries the interest in the disease has increased considerably during the past century. It is one of the hundreds of non-communicable diseases which attack us, but has emerged as a grave public health hazard in terms of morbidity, mortality and above all human predicament and misery.
The term ‘Cancer’ denotes not one but a variety heterogeneous disorders which can occur in any part of our body with varied clinical manifestations. In it the cells and tissues exhibit out-of-control abnormal proliferation. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. According to one study about one third of all people in the US will develop cancer during their lifetime.
In India the scene is like this…..one in 68 males will get Lung cancer, one in 29 females breast cancer and one in nine Indians will develop any other cancer during his lifetime.
There were approximately 1.16 million new cases in 2018.
This year’s theme is….’I AM AND I WILL’. On this day the whole medical fraternity and all intelligentsia should reinforce their commitment to reduce the global impact of cancer.
Last month the pioneer of cancer care DR. V.SHANTA ( a renowned Oncologist) of Chennai left for her heavenly abode.The void left after her death cannot be easily filled.
IT IS HIGH TIME THAT WE STRIVE HARD TO CREATE A CANCER FREE WORLD.
FOR THIS WE WILL HAVE TO GIRD OUR LOINS AND TAKE THE THINGS ON WAR-FOOTING AS FAR AS ITS PREVENTION, EARLY DETECTION,DIAGNOSIS,TREATMENT,FOLLOW UP (INCLUDING REHABILITATION) IS CONCERNED.
Dr.Sunil Chopra,Ludhiana,INDIA 9815574644
8 comments
Great article about cancer awareness written by Dr.Sunil Chopra.
For a common man, if there are symptoms experienced by anyone it must be discussed with the family physician.
Early detection is a great thing in cancer. Having a designated competent physician for yearly Master health check up is great to be considered.
In india patients are hesitant to invest on health check up. They try to ignore and get it investigated. Lack of trust on medical system is there too.
Early detection is the key.
Enlightening one and all about Cancer…….your blog made a compulsory reading.
Cancer has been afflicting mankind since the very beginning, and yet, despite advancement and tons of research, we have still not been able to find a convincing cure. When a person is diagnosed as a patient of cancer, his whole world collapses. He loses all hope. I believe that, at that stage, counseling needs to be prescribed as an accepted treatment regimen. However,this is rarely done here in India because of the taboos surrounding mental health.
Let’s hope that with increased awareness and focus, we will see a proper cure for this dreaded ailment.
Great article regarding cancer awareness. Early detection is the key by consulting a competent physician.
Very informative article dear dr sunil only awareness can help us
Nice write up inspiring all about laying emphasis on prevention and early detection to nip this creeping pathology timely
Nice article . Family physicians can and should play a role in early diagnosis of cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment by good team of oncologists make all the difference.
You have rightly said that most of India’s population is illiterate and need to be made aware of cancer and other diseases too ! However, even after awareness many people especially women are superstitious and are swayed by rumors . We need to reach out to those people who do not take treatment due to one or the other reason.