Cancer Awareness Run to be held on Nov 7

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) A cancer awareness run would be organised to mark the National Cancer Awareness Day on November 7.

The theme for this year is 'Be Aware Fight Cancer'. The run organised by Health and Family Welfare Ministry is aimed to spread awareness among the general public about cancer.

Cancer is one of the ten leading causes of death in the country.

It is estimated that nearly seven to nine lakh cancer cases occur every year. The leading types of cancer are oral, lungs, oesophagus and stomach among men and cervices, breast and oral amongst women.

In developed countries, it is the second leading cause of death with 2.5 million deaths every year.

In developing countries cancer is the third leading cause of death and accounts for 3.8 million deaths. World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2020 the number of cancer deaths would go up to 10 million annually. Tobacco, alcohol, infection and hormones contribute towards occurrence of common cancer all over the world.

There are five schemes in the country under the revised National Cancer Control Programmes. The Government is providing new regional cancer centres with a one time grant of Rs. 5 crore. Existing regional cancer centres are being strengthened by a one-time grant to Rs three crore.

The Centre is providing an enhanced grant of Rs three crore to Government institutions for developing oncology wings. For District Cancer Control Programme, Government is giving a grant-in-aid of Rs 90 lakhs spread over a five-year period. Lastly, the Government is providing a grant of Rs 8,000/- for each cancer camp for NGOs for conducting information, education and communication activities under the decentralised NGOs Scheme.

The number of Cancer Regional Centres have been raised to 25.

These centres main function are cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow up, survey of cancer mortality, training of personnel, cancer preventing measures, research and rehabilitation.

The goals and objectives of the revised strategy under the National Cancer Control Programme are to prevent cancer by health education, by early detection, strengthening the existing cancer treatment facilities and palliative care to terminal cancer patients.

UNI AJ PA BD1910