Cancer awareness drive in city today

PATNA: The Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre (MCIRC) will launch a cancer awareness drive in the state on the occasion of World Cancer Day being observed on Saturday across the world. A team of specialists would create awareness among semi-literate and illiterate people about cancer, said MCIRC director Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh.
According to Dr Singh, out of 30 lakh cancer patients across the country, Bihar accounts for more than 2.5 lakh patients.About 10 lakh cancer patients are being detected each year in the country of which seven lakh die due to ignorance or late detection of the disease, he said, adding about 26,000 new cancer patients are detected in Bihar alone every year. Dr Singh said all efforts should be made to check sudden spurt in the number of cancer patients in the state by generating awareness about the disease. The disease could be checked if the state government co-operates with the MCIRC in its endeavour to fight the disease. Cancer is likely to be the most challenging disease in the years to come, he said, adding about 1,000 patients are reaching the institute daily.
Underlining the need of regular check-up of men and women above 45 years, the MCIRC director said cancer patients from rural areas often reach hospital in an advanced stage of the disease. The treatment of the disease at an advanced stage could only prolong the life of a cancer patient by a few years. But if the disease is detected at an early stage and treated in time, it can be fully cured, he said. Dr Singh said the developed countries have already achieved a high-level control over cancer due to proper awareness among people.