Cancer is the new age epidemic. Around 2 crore new cases are being detected across the globe annually & roughly 1 crore deaths /year (1 in 4 deaths due to cancer)
70% deaths from cancer occur in low-middle income countries. Around 8 lakh new cases detected in our country every year (currently around 25 lakhs living with cancer)
Around 7-8 lakh deaths are occurring due to it every year in our country alone. Unfortunately, 50-60% cases in our country present in advanced stages making the survival poor. The good news is that 30-50% cancers are preventable and early-stage cancers are curable.
In this backdrop, Jammu’s First Cancer Awareness mega event ‘WorldCanAwarethon’ was initiated by Dr Shabnam Bashir (Senior Consultant Breast & Colorectal Cancer Surgeries & Executive Committee Member of ACRSI) & organized by J&K Sports Council under the aegis of Association of Colon & Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) & Vattikuti Foundation at MA Stadium Jammu as celebration of World Cancer Awareness Week ( World Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated on 4th Feb)
Around 300-350 students participated in the event. The highlights of the event were Yoga demonstration to emphasize the role of de-stressing by J&K Sports council sports students. This was followed by Cancer awareness talk by Dr Shabnam Bashir discussing about the subtle signs & symptoms and preventive measures, Purple Human Ribbon creation, and a Cancer Awareness Walkathon by all participants to re-iterate the importance of Physical activity and fitness in cancer prevention. Dr Shabnam said that Cancers are conquerable only if we decide to stay aware and follow the preventive measure and seek help at the earliest. And those detected early have a great prognosis, hence, the need to create awareness about subtle signs & symptoms of cancers and emphasize the role of screenings, early detection, and preventive lifestyle modifications. And 40-50% of factors are modifiable like smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity, alcohol, & infections. Cancer awareness pamphlet (credit Astra Zeneca) was launched & distributed amongst all participants and public.
The Chief Guest of the event was deputy director department of Youth Services & Sports Dr Jitender Mishra and event was also attended by various doctors programs re-iterating the participation of various institutions & organizations in collaborating for such public awareness activities.
