Cancer can be prevented by changes in lifestyle: Doctor

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Ludhiana, March 2

As Women’s Day is approaching near, Sandhu Cancer Centre organised a lecture for members of the Rupika Ladies Club .The lecture was delivered by the cancer specialist and executive chairman of the Cancer Council of India (CCI), Dr Devinder Singh Sandhu.

Dr Sandhu said cases of lung, breast and uterus cancer were on the rise among women in Punjab owing to the consumption of junk food and various other factors. High BMI causes the cancer of oesophagus, colon, rectum, kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, postmenopausal breast, ovary, and endometrium besides cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“Women are disproportionately affected by the obesity-related cancer,” said Dr Sandhu.

He said there were approximately three million cancer patients in India and 0.3 million cancer-related deaths were reported every year in the country. “The recovery rate varies according to the stage and type of cancer,” Dr Sandhu said. “Though the recovery rate is 90 per cent in early stages, most of the cancer patients in India visit the doctors in the advanced stage. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential to achieve better results,” he added. Listing the causes and risk factors, Dr Sandhu said cancer could be prevented by introducing changes in the lifestyle.

Risk factors

High fat in diet, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, obesity, less intake of fruits and vegetables, increasing use of pesticides, water pollution, smoking, alcohol, pollution and infections are some of common factors that cause cancer.

Regular check-up must

Women should undergo mammography after the age of 40 every year. This would help in timely diagnosis of the disease. In addition, regular check-up is required to prevent the disease.