Docs debunk myths about cancer at teachers' meet

The prevalence of cancer is increasing and Bengaluru stands fourth among Indian cities where the incidence of cancer is expected to grow. Karnataka has 2 crore tobacco consumers and close to 66 lakh people die premature deaths due to cancer.These were some of the eye-opening facts that Dr Sindhu Ramamurthy spoke about at The Times NIE Teachers Meet held in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Debunking some common myths about cancer, the consultant radiation oncologist from HCG pointed out that most cancers have symptoms that we have to keep an eye out for as they can be treated. It's important to develop an environment where everyone can talk freely about it.
Smoking, diet, lack of exercise, obesity, pollution and inherited genes are among the many factors that lead to cancer. It's our responsibility as individuals and a society to empower ourselves with knowledge and make the necessary lifestyle changes in order to cut the incidents of cancer, she emphasized. “Genes load the gun. Lifestyle pulls the trigger,“ was the thought she left teachers with.
Speaking about cancer among children, Dr Rasmi P from the department of pediatric oncology , HCG, said cancer is the 9th common cause of death among 5 to 15 year-olds.There are nearly 50,000 new childhood cancer cases every year in India and about 70% of these children die due to the disease. She gave teachers useful insights into how to deal with children with cancer, siblings of such patients and parents as well.
Earlier, the session started with an interesting quiz in which the gathering of over 200 teachers from as many schools participated enthusiastically . Twelve teachers made it to the final round that saw some tough competition and interesting tie-breaker moments. Vinay Mudaliar, quizmaster and the mind behind Mindcogs, was delighted to see the competitive spirit and enthusiasm among teachers. “Though it was a tough and tricky quiz, the finalists got more than 80% of the answers right. It was not just a fun event, but a great platform for them to showcase their knowledge. Teachers are all the time honing students. An opportunity like this will help them teach students better,“ he pointed out.
The session came to a close with teachers getting useful tips on financial management and the need to plan for the future. CEO of Spearhead Finserve Srivathsala KN drew an analogy with cricket to explain the importance of financial planning and its benefits.