Comment

Not just environmental factors, unhealthy lifestyle, rampant smoking and poor food habits have put the youth at risk of cancer at an early age. Members of the medical fraternity speak up on how awareness and healthier choices can help keep the disease at bay.

Govt, NGOs must organise awareness drives to educate youth about harmful effects of unhealthy lifestyle
Cancer caused by lifestyle factors can be prevented if an individual takes good care of himself / herself. Most cancers are caused by potentially avoidable behaviours such as smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating junk food. But, an individual can lower the risk of falling prey to cancer by adopting a healthier lifestyle and saying no to addictions. However, one cannot expect the young generation to switch to healthier habits overnight. They must be made aware about the harmful effects of their unhealthy lifestyles. You cannot force someone do something, so it is necessary that we stimulate the young minds through education, and let them decide the path they want to follow. The government and other social organisations should
conduct drives, organise awareness programmes and arrange talk shows to raise awareness about cancer and its prevention through a healthy lifestyle.
—Col (retd) NS Nyayapathi, founder-trustee, Care India Medical Society

Over-consumption of non-vegfood and tobacco leads to cancer at a young age
Being an anti-gutkha crusader, I have undertaken various campaigns regarding the rising incidence of cancer among youth due to unhealthy lifestyles and addictions. Surveys reveal that tobacco consumption is the main cause of cancer at a young age. Of these, gutkha consumption is the most dangerous, as it contains beetle leaf, lime, and hydrocarbons, along with tobacco. It has also been proved that over-consumption of non-vegetarian food items leads to cancer, including prostrate and breast cancers. Today’s youth lead stressful lives; and neglecting a healthy diet and physical exercise also adds to the problem. Long working hours clubbed with stress, lousy diet devoid of nutrients, lack of physical exercise and tobacco consumption are the factors that put youngsters at risk of cancer.
—Dr Kalyan Gangwal, Sr consultant physician

Yearly checkups can help detect the disease at an early stage, thereby increasing the chances of curing it
In the recent years, cancer has become a common disease among the youth, especially women. Cases of breast cancer have also risen as compared to earlier. This rising incidence of cancer can be attributed to erratic lifestyles and irregular food habits. Tobacco consumption is another major factor, as it causes various forms of cancer in men as well as women. Today’s generation feels that smoking is a way to feel liberated, and staying away from family solidifies the habit further. If you look at IT professionals and students, most of them stay away from home and develop poor eating habits and irregular lifestyles. However, a yearly check-up can help detect the disease at an early stage, thereby increasing the chances of curing it.
—Dr Ashok Bhanage, chairman, cancer centre, Ruby Hall Clinic

Slavery to junk food is a big factor contributing to the rise in cancer among youth
Nowadays, cancer is on the rise among youth, and the seeds of the disease are sown at an early age. Youngsters start using tobacco (smoking or chewing) at the tender age of 15. At this age, the children need to be counselled and educated about the harmful effects of using tobacco so that they refrain from things that can lead to cancer in the long run. Another major factor contributing to the rise in cancer among youth is the change in diet that has occurred in the last few years. Junk foods have become a necessity for the youth and it has left them with a weakened immune system. A bit of awareness can do
wonders, as it will educate the young minds about the hazards of an unhealthy lifestyle. Cancer is like corruption, as an individual can either choose to be part of the things that lead to cancer or just do away with them.
—Dr Rebecca D’Souza, clinical psychologist

Awareness programmes should be undertaken at school level to educate youngsters
The stressful lifestyle and long working hours are behind the rising incidence of cancer among the youth. Tobacco consumption is another factor. Under the present circumstances, youngsters should be made aware about the disease, and this exercise should start at school level itself. Creating awareness is the primary and most effective step towards reducing the incidence of cancer among youth. Though several private NGOs are working in this field, the censorship on on-screen smoking and warnings on cigarette packets have failed to have the desired effect. A healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and regular exercise, can play a major role in preventing cancer among the youth.
—Seema Dhillon, cancer activist

Watch your habits

• Among men, increasing incidence of lung, oral, liver and prostate cancer, as well as leukemia and lymphoma, is being seen
• Among women, increasing incidence of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, along with lymphoma and leukemia, is being seen
• Common causes of lifestyle-related cancers are an inactive lifestyle, bad eating habits and poor hygiene along with smoking, alcohol consumption and chewing tobacco