National Cancer Awareness Day is observed on November 7 to educate people about cancer
National Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated in India today. The day is important, for it educates people about the serious threat that is cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second-deadliest disease which causes death among people.
The condition of people dying by cancer is India is a serious threat to the nation. In 2018, 1.5 million people from India, died of cancer. Thus, to raise awareness about cancer, the day is observed on November 7.
History:
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan first announced National Cancer Awareness Day in September 2014. He launched the state-level movement on cancer control, and encouraged people to report to municipal clinics for free screening. A booklet talking about early symptoms of cancer and how to avoid getting it, was also distributed.
Facts:
- A woman dies of cervical cancer every eight minutes.
- Tobacco chewing has been directly linked to cancer, leading to most deaths in the year 2018.
- While male are prone to dying by cancer of oral cavity and lungs, women could die of breast cancer and oral cavity cancer
Symptoms of cancer:
While it is advisable to undergo a screening to detect cancer, here are a few symptoms which might raise the alarm.
- Continous diarrhoea
- Consistent cough and blood in saliva
- Unexplained anaemia
- Breast lumps
- Change in urination
- Blood in stool
Treatment:
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) launched Pilot on Trade Margin Rationalisation for 42 anti-cancer drugs. The initiative was taken to make the treatment affordable to the common man. Other therapies are:
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Targeted Therapy
- Stem Cell Transplant
- Surgery
- Precision Medicine
Prevention:
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight helps long-term in fighting cancer. Apart from that, here are the other precautions which can be taken.
- Get vaccinated
- Sun Protection
- Don't use tobacco
- Regular check-ups
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Cancer")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}