The Hindu : National : Early detection vital for cancer cure

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Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006
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National

Early detection vital for cancer cure

Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: The Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research and Education (PGIMR) here observed Tuesday as National Cancer Awareness Day and organised a poster exhibition and a public lecture.

The PGI Director, Dr. K.K. Talwar, said that the endeavour should be to educate the public about the early detection and prevention of cancer. "Prevention is ideal but early detection is most important for achieving cure of different cancers." The PGI Dean Dr. V. Sakhuja, highlighted the important factors that cause various cancers. Tobacco, he said, was responsible for one-third of all the cancers and almost 50 per cent of the cancers in males. "Tobacco causes cancers of mouth, lung, larynx and esophagus. Control of the tobacco menace could prevent large number of cancers in India," he asserted.

Dr. F.D. Patel, Professor in the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, delivered a lecture on prevention and early detection of cancers of the breast and cervix - two commonly occurring cancers among women in India. She described various pre-disposing factors which led to these two cancers.

"Cancer of the cervix is commonest among women of low socio-economic status and results from poor hygiene, infection, early sexual activity, early marriage and a large number of children. Cancer of the breast, which is the second commonest among females, is related to un-opposed action of estrogen - a hormone produced in the body. It is also common among women who have an early menarchy and a late menopause and it is also related to diet rich in fat," Dr. Patel said.

Dr. Patel said that both these cancers were preventable and could be cured in more than 80 per cent of the cases if these were detected early. Hence, screening for these cancers was very vital. She listed various warning signs of early cancer and talked about methods for early detection.

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