Expert stresses on closing the gap in cancer care, praises schemes for poor

Visakhapatnam: The theme for this year’s world cancer day is ‘close the care gap’, aimed at eliminating the inequities in cancer care. Disparities in social status, income, gender, religion, and age can result in profound differences in the type of care given as well as the control or cure of cancer. According to experts, these differences must be reduced or eliminated in order to realise the motto – ‘close the care gap’.Founder director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapantam, Dr D. Raghunadharao, said the Union government’s Ayushman Bharat and the AP’s Aarogyasri schemes are believed to be the best way to provide cancer care for all those below the poverty line. “Raising awareness about the lack of equity in cancer care and prompting action at every level to break down the barriers that exist for many people in accessing services and receiving the care they need,” said Dr Raghunadharao.“The call for governments around the world is to pass adequate and stringent legislation to prevent millions of cancer-related deaths arising out of tobacco use, and consumption of alcohol and ultra-processed foods. This can be done through increased taxation, restricted advertising, improved labelling, and public education,” added Dr Raghunadharao.