Beware of early signs of cancer: Experts

Visakhapatnam: Awareness walks, talks and drives organised to fight against cancer and strengthen action towards quality healthcare, regular screening and early detection. On the eve of 'World Cancer Day' observed on February 4, cancer experts came forward to build awareness among communities and highlight the need to 'close the care gap.'

As a part of it, Apollo Cancer Centres organised a cancer awareness walk that saw a participation of 1,500 people. An army of volunteers from nursing colleges, Walkers clubs, Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, AB Charitable Trust, Jindal Corporate and Andhra University NSS unit took part in the event. With 40 per cent of the cancer related deaths being preventable, the doctors at Apollo Cancer Centres engaged in different activities to promote cancer awareness and improve accessibility, availability, and affordability of the screening and diagnosis.

Radiation Oncologist Dr Suman Das expressed that risk factors of cancer include chewing tobacco, smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet and nutrition, among others. Highlighting the theme 'close the care gap,' radiation oncologist Dr Aditya Narayan called for a concerted effort to work together for a cancer-free future and stressed on the need to act 'now' for the mission.

Marking the day, the Biochemistry and Bioinformatics Department of GITAM organised a talk. Speaking on the occasion, Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute managing director and chief surgical oncologist V Murali Krishna, who participated as chief guest, laid emphasis on early detection and treatment. The data analytics and Artificial Intelligence tools are playing an important role to diagnose cancer at an early stage, he noted. Addressing the participants, he said that in recent years, research into cancer medicine has taken remarkable steps towards more effective, precise and less invasive cancer treatments and are increasingly making cancer a more manageable disease.

Marking the day, Chief Consultant Medical Oncologist of KIMS Icon, Visakhapatnam Digumarti Raghunadha Rao spoke about the inequities in cancer care that exist in several countries. "Disparities in social status, income, gender, religion and age, result in profound differences in the type of care given as well as control or cure of cancer. These differences must be reduced or eliminated in order to realise the motto – close the care gap," Dr Raghunadha Rao stated.

Emphasising on raising awareness about the lack of equity in cancer care and prompting action at every level to break down the barriers that exist in accessing services, Dr. Raghunadha Rao mentioned that the call for governments around the world is to pass adequate and stringent legislation to prevent millions of cancer-related deaths due to tobacco use and the consumption of alcohol and ultra-processed foods through increased taxation, restricted advertising, improved labelling and public education.

#BaldAndBold

Extending support to cancer patients, HCG Cancer Centre initiated a hair donation drive. As a part of the #BaldAndBold campaign, HCG initiated the hair donation drive 'Strands of Hope'. Mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari, HCG COO Aditya Kaura, doctors and ancillary staff participated on the concluding day of the campaign. People in large numbers came forward to donate hair and supported the movement. The campaign aimed at enhancing the confidence and self-esteem among cancer patients. The donated hair will be used to make wigs for cancer patients in need.