Walk for spreading cancer awareness

A walk was organized in New Delhi on Sunday to spread awareness about the various gynaecological cancers prevalent among women, activists said.

Organised by NGO Globeathon, the Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India (AGOI) and BLK Super Speciality Hospital, the cause has been promoted in Bangalore, Cuttack, Patna and Jammu along with Delhi.

'In this sedentary lifestyle, we hardly notice one important thing in our life which is our health and gynaecological cancers are one which are very much prevalent in India,' said Palakshi Goswami, a PR professional and a participant.

'A little awareness and will can eradicate it from roots,' she added. (Read: Massive cancer awareness program launched in Punjab)

According to Praneet Kumar, CEO, BLK Super Speciality hospital, over 70 percent of patients report for diagnostic and treatment services at an advanced stage of disease.

'The scenario is still worse in case of women who tend to ignore themselves and this is the key reason for poor survival and high mortality rates of cancer patients,' said Kumar.

'We felt there is a pressing need to create awareness amongst the population about the gynaecological cancers in women such that women are motivated to opt for routine screening and early detection of these cancers,' added Kumar.

According to doctors, cancers of the female reproductive tract along with breast form 50-60 percent of all cancers among women in India. (Read: Amla can reduce your cancer risk by half!)

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. In a healthy body cells grow, die and are replaced in a very controlled way. Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental or internal factors result in cells that don t die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer or a tumour develops. Most cancer related deaths are due to metastasis, malignant cells that penetrate into the circulatory system and establish colonies in other parts of the body. Great advancements have been made but cancer is still leading cause of death for people under 85. (Read more..)

Source: IANS