‘Early detection key to fight cancer’

R. Vijaya Kumar, managing trustee of SNR Sons Charitable Trust, releasing the E-book on cancer awareness developed by P. Guhan, (left) Director and Medical Oncologist, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research, on World Cancer Day in the city on Saturday. P. Sukumaran, (right) Dean, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, is in the picture.

The risk of cancer is lurking as 29 out of one lakh women in Coimbatore develop breast cancer as per an estimation conducted by Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research (SRIOR).

As per the estimation based on SRIOR’s cancer registry, 23 out of one lakh women develop cervical cancer in Coimbatore. While urban women are detected more for breast cancer, women from rural areas are increasingly developing cervical cancer.

In the case of men, they are at the risk of head and neck, and prostrate cancer at a rate of 13 % and 11% respectively. It was found that more than 50 % of cancer patients come to know about their illness at the end stage.

“Though advanced treatment facilities are available, cancer is not diagnosed at early stage due to lack of awareness. One must have basic knowledge on the types of cancer, their symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It is with this intention, SRIOR has developed the e-book ‘Cancer Awareness’ which gives an outline on over 35 types of cancer. Early detection is the key to fight against cancer,” said P. Guhan, director and medical oncologist of SRIOR attached to Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. The e-book is available in English and Tamil.

Dr. Guhan said that SRIOR 2.52 lakh women have utilised the free screening facility for cervical and breast cancer under SRIOR’s project DEEPAM (Detect Early Ensure Prevention and Management). Also 56,000 persons have utilised free oral cancer screening programme.

R. Vijaya Kumar, managing trustee of SNR Sons Charitable Trust, released the e-book during Work Cancer Day programmes held at SRIOR on Saturday. Mr. Kumar also inaugurated free prostrate cancer screening for men at SRIOR which will be held till February end.

Signature campaign

Observing World Cancer Day, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH) on Saturday conducted a signature campaign which was inaugurated by S. Saravanan, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, along with Arun Palaniswami, Director, KMCH. The campaign was designed to highlight this year’s theme on World Cancer Day “We can I Can” which calls for collective effort to eradicate and cure cancer.

Awareness rally

The Department of Oncology at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) organised an awareness rally on cancer on Saturday. The rally flagged off by District Collector T.N. Hariharan.

Plantation workers

Family Planning Association of India, The Nilgiris branch, Coonoor, conducted World Cancer Day awareness programme at AVT Tea Garden, Muthanadu, which was attended by 40 women garden workers.