Cancer treatment is still a problem because of many myths among masses including educated persons. This is the prime cause of overall low rate of cancer cure in the country, at around 30-40% compared to 70-80 % in the western world.
This was informed by renowned Oncologist Dr Chanchal Goswami, at a press conference organised here on Monday on the eve of World Cancer Day (February 4). Building on the success of last year’s campaign, World Cancer Day 2014 focus on Target 5 of the World Cancer Declaration Reduce stigma and dispel myths about cancer, under the tagline “Debunk the myths”.
“We need to dispel the myth that cancer is a death sentence. There are effective ways to prevent as well as detect cancers in the early stages. Prompt treatment can cure many cancers,” Dr. Goswami, said adding that “New breakthroughs in early detection of cancer have made it much more treatable. With healthy lifestyle and effective drugs it now possible to live healthy and a normal life with cancer.”
He said World Cancer Day is a chance to raise our voice for improving awareness about the disease anddismissing misconceptions about it. From a global level, experts will be focusing on addressing the myths.
Dr. Goswami further said that awareness about early symptoms of cancer is another important factor which can improve cure rate to 70-80 %. Early symptoms of cancer include non-healing oral ulcerspersisting, change in voice, difficulty in swallowing, coughing or difficult breathing, lumps in breast in female, or any unusual bleeding from body and if these persist for more than two to three weeks, they should be examined by the doctor for cancer. Other symptoms vary from sudden increase in size of an existing mole, persistent change in digestive and bowel movement, or unexplained loss of weight and even after being examined by a doctor there is no harm in taking second opinion if there is no improvement despite treatment.
Dr. Goswami, however, pointed out that only awareness and positive attitude of masses towards medical care can improve the situation in the country as there is no organised compulsory health insurance system and lack of easy availability of cancer treatment in India.
People should consult oncology specialists and take the help of Internet for guidance about cancer diagnosis and treatment.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet, tobacco kills nearly 60,00,000 people a year of whom more than 50,00,000 are users and ex users and more than 6,00,000 are non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Approximately one person dies every 6 seconds due to tobacco and this accounts for one in 10 adult deaths. Up to half of current users will eventually die of a tobacco-related disease.
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