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AIIMS doctors to look for cancer patients in old-age homes in National Capital

The focus of these examinations will be on cancer and pneumonia occurring in people above 60 years of age.

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The doctors will closely examine the patients in old-age homes
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In another step to help senior citizens suffering from cancer, doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have decided to look for patients in old-age homes. The team of doctors will visit old-age homes in the national Capital to medically examine the elderly and give proper treatment. The focus of these examinations will be on cancer and pneumonia occurring in people above 60 years of age.

"Over 60 per cent of the cancer cases are coming from patients above 60 and most of these, if detected in time are curable. Oral, breast, and lung cancers are some of the diseases which can be cured if diagnosed in time. Most of these patients visit the hospitals when it is too late for any treatment," said Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Senior Resident, Department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS, and an expert in elderly care medicine.

Over the years, the incidence of cancer has been reportedly on the rise. Going to 1.5 million in 2017, the mortality rate has increased from 6,70,541 in 2014 to 7,32,921 in 2016 in the country and from 9,290 in 2014 to 10,127 in 2016 in Delhi-NCR region. Only 2.5 per cent people get medical treatment for cancer treatment.

If any of the old patients, being visited by the AIIMS team, is found to be suffering from cancer, he/she will be immediately taken to the premier institute for treatment. Currently, a proposal has been sent to 21 old-age homes in Delhi-NCR region.

As per a report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death, 2015, and a joint report of the Registrar General of India and the Centre for Global Health Research, Causes of death statistics (2010-2013), cancer is the sixth common cause of death.

As per the latest report of Medical Certification of Cause of Death (2015), the percentage of deaths due to neoplasms has varied from 3.6 to 5.3 per cent over years.

RISE IN CASES

  • Over the years, the incidence of cancer has been reportedly on the rise. 
     
  • Going to 1.5 million in 2017,  the mortality rate has increased from 6,70,541 in 2014 to 7,32,921 in 2016 in the country 
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