Docs stress on diet, lifestyle for prevention

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 4

On World Cancer Day, hospitals across the district held awareness seminars and lectures. A cancer awareness and screening camp was organised at the Civil Hospital in Khanna.

Addressing nursing students of Sidhu College of Nursing, Dr Rajinder Gulati, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Khanna, said cancer was the second leading cause of death globally and was responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018.

He added that from 30-50 per cent of cancers are preventable by healthy lifestyle and public health measures such as immunisation against cancer causing infections.

Dr Gulati said tobacco was the single most important risk factor for cancer, which was responsible for approximately 22 per cent of cancer-related deaths globally.

Cancer causing infections such as hepatitis and human papilloma virus (HPV) are responsible for up to 25 per cent of cancer cases in underdeveloped and developing countries.

Dr Gulati said the cancer burden could also be reduced through early detection of the disease and management of patients who develop cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated adequately, he added.

On this day, Aykai Hospital near Samrala Chownk also organised a free camp for cancer patients to mark World Cancer Day.

A large number of patients with various ailments were examined by a team of super specialist doctors. Special discount on investigations were also given to the patients.

Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, urologist and transplant surgeon, addressed the patients and made them aware that one in eight men suffer from prostate cancer and if detected early, it could be cured, otherwise it was life threatening.

He said obese and hypertensive patients were more prone to suffer from kidney cancer and if detected early, kidney could be saved and cancer could be cured.

Similarly, SPS Hospital also conducted a free screening camp to observe World Cancer Day. Dr Navdeep Singh, senior consultant at the department of oncology, said, “If early diagnosis and detection of cancer has to be done, we need to understand early signs and symptoms of cancer. Safe diet, cancer safe culture and developing a safe lifestyle are needed,” he said.

Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, emphasised the importance to understand cancer, the key symptoms and early warning signs, facts and trends and ways to prevent some of its types.

Dr JS Sekhon, director oncology, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, said, “Among various diseases that affect people, cancer, one of the most unpredictable and complex of all non-communicable diseases, has emerged as a major threat. Today, cancer is among one of the major causes of death globally.”

Dr Harish Matta, oncology surgeon, informed the audience about breast cancer, its signs, how to detect it at an early stage and effectiveness of surgical management in reducing the risks involved.

NGO Ek Aas conducted a seminar on cancer at Government Senior secondary School, Sunet. Articles related to personal hygiene were distributed among girl students.

Simmi Chopra Pashan, chairperson of Ek Aas women helpline, said cancer was a deadly disease but its timely detection could save life.

“Today, we distributed articles for maintaining personal hygiene among girls as living a healthy and hygienic life is also a step forward in staying away from cancer,” she said.

Safe diet 
Fruits, green leafy vegetables, salads, haldi, tomato, broccoli, almonds, high fibre diet.

Safe life style
Always breast feed the baby, exercise regularly, adopt yoga. 

Safe culture
Avoid multiple sex partners, physical inactivity, smoking, tobacco, alcohol, fast food.