Cancer: “I am and I will”

Cancer: “I am and I will”

The word cancer blow mind of individuals and people suffering from it even go in depression and lose hope of life. Bihar has a population of 121 million people among which 190 people die every day because of Cancer.

According to Mahavir Cancer Sanstha (MCS), 50,000 people die of cancer and 80,000 new cancer cases are there every year. Yesterday on World’s Cancer Day, 4th February, a cancer awareness program was organised by Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in the hospital campus to create awareness about cancer.

World Cancer Day is an international day marked on 4th February to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage prevention, detection and treatment. The primary goal of this day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer and is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer. World Cancer Day targets to clear misinformation, raises awareness, and reduces social stigma about cancer. 

 To raise awareness about cancer a seminar-cum-awareness programme was organised by the PMCH department of radiotherapy and oncology in collaboration with the association of Radiation Oncologist of Bihar (AROI). PMCH radiotherapy department head and general secretary of AROI Dr. P.N Pandit spoke about early symptoms of cancer visible in patient’s body. “Early detection leads to better treatment of the disease” he said.

Dr. Sangita Narain deliberated on gynaecological tumours and emphasized on gynaecological hygiene and cervical vaccine. PMCH medical superintendent Dr. Rajiv Ranjan also joined the procession and burned tobacoo products and ordered complete tobacoo ban in PMCH premises.

A three-year campaign was started by UN on World Caner Day in 2016 with the theme “we can, I can”. The theme for this year is “I am and I will”. Various initiatives are carried out on World Cancer Day to show support for those affected by cancer. “No hair selfie” was one such global movement in which people shave their heads to show a symbol of courage for those undergoing cancer treatments.