International workshop on lung cancer in PGI
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27
Keeping in mind a rise in the number of lung cancer patients in northern India, the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGI, is organising an international workshop. Over 200 delegates, including doctors from France, England and Nepal, are expected to attend the workshop.

“With very stringent anti-smoking laws in the West, cigarette companies have now focussed their business interests in India and other south-eastern Asian countries, thus leading to phenomenal increase in the number of lung cancer patients in these areas,” said Dr D. Behera.

He said that as compared to 1973, when only about 85 lung cancer patients used to come to the PGI every year the number had now crossed 250. “No doubt smoking is the main cause for lung cancer amongst males, but a study in China revealed that women patients were becoming victims due to pollution from coal, which they inhale while cooking,” he added.

He said studies conducted all over the country presented a very disturbing picture where lung cancer had bypassed mouth cancer, which till now was the highest due to chewing of pan masala, ‘tambaku’ and ‘gutkhas’. He said 80 per cent of the lung cancer patients were smokers, majority of them men, while amongst women cancer was organ specific. Another fact that had come to light was that 20 per cent of the lung cancer male patients were below 40 years of age, he added.

Virtually being an incurable disease, the only solution was prevention through non-smoking, checking pollution-level regularly and less intake of non-vegetarian fatty foods. “Even in the most developed countries, the survival rate in lung cancer patients is barely 10 per cent, while in India it is as low as three per cent,” said Dr Behera.

Another area of concern was the high cost of chemotherapy treatment for cancer, which majority of the patients in India could not afford, apart from side effects. Since the symptoms of lung cancer and tuberculosis were quite similar, there invariably was a delay in detection of cancer which reduces the chances of cure in later stages, he added.

Extensive studies were being conducted by medical experts to see the effect of pollution due to cooking in women patients. However, diet studies have clearly established the deficiency of vitamin A (beta carotene), and vitamin A and E in lung cancer patients.

SPORTS

Skating facilities at St Stephen’s
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, September 27
City skaters will now have the opportunity to make use of the newly created skating facilities at the St Stephen’s School, Sector 45. With Mr Harold Carver, Principal of the school, announcing his plans to throw open skating facilities to the students and appointing renowned roller hockey coach Balwinder Singh, the sport is likely to gain momentum in the city.

Three Indian women roller hockey team players, Raysha Rajput, Anuja Chauhan and Ritika Sharma, who practised here under the guidance of coach Balwinder Singh, praised the effort of the school management. Today was the last day of their training as tomorrow they, along with seven other players, would be leaving for the World Roller Hockey Championship for Women to be held in Portugal from October 6.

Raysha said, “Earlier we used to practise in Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, but now since this school has created host of opportunities and good environment for skaters, it is better to practise here.” Raysha, a student of BA I in the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, had taken part in the Asian Roller Skating Meet in Taiwan last year, besides participating in two consecutive skating nationals. She had also won the gold medal in the National School Games.

Another skater, Anuja Chauhan, an ex-student of St Stephen’s-45, said she always wanted to practise under the watchful eyes of Balwinder Singh, so when he joined this institution, she decided to shift here. Anuja had also represented India in the Asian meet in Taiwan and at the last national meet.

Ritika Sharma also felt happy with the kind of plans that St Stephen’s management had made for the skaters. Ritika had also donned national colours by taking part in the last Asian meet. All of them were quite confident to do well in the World Roller Hockey Meet.

Mr Carver said presently they had converted the basketball court into a skating-rink and after the completion of Indoor Hall, the construction of a proper skating-rink would be taken up. He promised to make it fully equipped with floodlights, music so as to attract best talent and to promote the game.

Shivalik school win hockey title
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, September 27
Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, won the Pre- Nehru (under-17) UT Inter-school Hockey Tournament played here today at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35. In the final, they blanked Sanjay Public school, Sector 44, by 4-0. The half time score was 1-0. Two goals were scored by Tejinder Pal and one each by Jatinder and Kanwalpreet.

Tennis meet: Star tennis player Saurabh Singh entered third round of the men singles in the IXth Haryana State Lawn Tennis Championship being played here at Gymkhana Club, Sector 6, Panchkula. Saurabh outplayed Rupinder Saini. The other players who reached third round are: Raj Kumar, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Sahil Dabra, Jitin Bishnoi, Ashutosh and Rahul.

In the boys section for under-14 years, those who made it to the semi-finals include Shiva Sangwan, Deepak Berwal, Mohak Mehta and Anshul Kadian.

In the boys (under-16) section, Shiva and Anshul also made it to the semi-finals with Rajesh Kumar and Anshul Garg also joining them.

DAV-8 win title: DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, won the UT Inter-School Lawn Tennis under-17 and under-19 Tournament for boys played here. In the under-17 final, they defeated St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, by 2-0 played at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16. Mr Ravinder Talwar, Principal, appreciated the achievements made by Pritam and Raj Kanwar who are also the products of the rural boys scheme of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association.

In the under-19 final, DAVSS-8 beat Bhavan Vidyalya School, Sector 27, 2-0. In the under 14 section, St Kabir School, Sector 26, beat St Stephen’s-45, 2-0

Football tourney: Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, will face Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, in the tomorrow’s final of the Chandigarh Sub-Junior Boys Football Championship to be played here at the Sector 17 Football Stadium. In the semi-finals played today, defending champion Sanjay Public School-44 trounced Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22 , 8-0. In the second semi-final tie, Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, prevailed upon St Soldier International Public School, Sector 28, 3-0.

Appointed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27
The Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora, has appointed Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Goyal , SDM, Mr M.S. Yadav, and Tehsildar, Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma, to look after proper arrangements for procurement of paddy during the current kharif season.

These officers will also check stocks of gunny bags, tarpaulins, polythene covers and crates etc. are available in requisite quantity and quality.