Did you know that only 5 to 10 per cent of cancers were hereditary and that the rest were caused by our living conditions? Did you ever think that the greasy food you eat is as dangerous as tobacco or liquor when it comes to cancer? And to think that hot food may cause Oesophageal cancer!
‘Can Cure,’ an awareness exhibition about cancer organised by Pratheekhsa, an organisation of cancer patients and survivors, at the Regional Science Centre in Kozhikode is where you could know all about cancer and ways to prevent it.
It starts with the different types of cancer that affect the lungs, breast, large intestine, urinary bladder/prostate, blood and Lymphoma. Interestingly, India tops the list of countries where the highest number of people are affected by cancer in the throat, mouth or pancreas.
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The causes of cancer are explained with the help of interesting pictures and posters and explain how excess body weight leads to cancer. The types of cancers increasingly found in men and women vary.
While women are more prone to breast cancer, lung cancer and rectal cancer, men are more prone to lung cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer. The role of tobacco in cancer, effects of passive smoking and how alcohol adds to it, are explained through graphics. A section is entirely dedicated to role of food in causing cancer.
The symptoms and signs of cancer are explained through illustrations. Biopsy, the cancer confirmation test, is explained in a similar manner. The exhibition throws light on the latest treatment methods of cancer such as robotic surgery and 3D radiation planning besides chemotherapy and the conventional surgery and radiation.
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Stress is given on the prevention of the disease by using sun screen lotions to prevent skin cancer, abstinence from smoking, liquor and food that contains too much fat and cholesterol. The advice is to eat a lot of fruits.
A still model of the lungs of a smoking man in the exhibition hall draws attention. A number of videos connected to each of the sub-topics are quite helpful even for children.
The exhibition has been organised in connection with Cancer Awareness Day, which falls on February 4. The exhibition will conclude on February 4.