NIMRA arranges cancer awareness walk, seminar on World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day Walk

HYDERABAD: The Nuclear Institute of Medicine & Radiotherapy (NIMRA) Jamshoro in collaboration with Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences arranged a “Cancer Awareness Walk” followed by a Seminar, to observe the World Cancer day on 4rth February 2016.

While addressing the participants, Director NIMRA Dr. Naeem Ahmad Laghari expressed that the latest cancer statistics from the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer predict that if current trends continue, the global burden of new cancer cases will surge from 14.1 million in 2012 to 19.3 million by 2025.

He added that for developing countries, the situation often goes beyond addressing behavioral change, with many countries facing a ‘double burden’ of exposures, the most common of which is cancer-causing infections. Chronic infections are estimated to cause approximately 16% of all cancers globally, with this figure rising to almost 23% in developing countries. Several of the most common cancers in developing countries such as liver, cervical and stomach cancers are associated with infections with hepatitis B virus, the human papillomavirus, and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori respectively.

Exposure to a broad range of environmental causes in our personal and professional lives, including exposure to indoor air pollution, radiation, and excessive sunlight are also major preventable causes of cancer.

He informed that tobacco kills almost 6 million people a year, an average of one person every six seconds. By 2020, this number is set to increase to 7.5 million, which would mean that tobacco use accounts for one in ten of all deaths worldwide. Tobacco use, particularly smoking, is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world, responsible for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths, including cancers of the lung (71% of lung cancers are attributed to tobacco use), mouth, throat, nose and sinuses, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, breast, bowel, kidney and bladder. It also causes a wide range of other diseases including 10% of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, 42% of the chronic chest and lung illnesses and gangrene. It is associated with 23% of new tuberculosis cases.

A significant increase in non-communicable diseases such as cancer is occurring in the developing world, adding new killers to the already-heavy disease burden of infectious diseases afflicting poorer nations. 1/3rd cancer can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment. Our aim is to help you to understand how you can take steps to prevent and live a long healthy life. Healthy lifestyles can substantially reduce cancers that are caused by risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.

The Pro Vice Chancellor LUMHS Prof. Muneer Ahmad Junejo expressed that most modern lifestyle has helped cancer rates to rise dramatically worldwide. Many countries have seen reduced poverty levels and increased industrialization, experience changes in the environment, lifestyle, and diets that are more conducive to cancer. These lifestyle changes include reduced activity levels, increases in “fast-food” consumption and consumption of guttka, manpauri, naswar, pan and increased tobacco used in Pakistan are factors causing cancer in our country. Treatment alone cannot win the battle against cancer, and key priorities should be given to cancer prevention and control measures This will stop through implement effective tobacco control measures domestically including tobacco taxes, smoke-free indoor workplaces and public places, health warnings, education and training, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and cessation assistance and to cooperate with other Parties in tobacco control efforts.

The Guest of Honor Pro Vice-Chancellor, the University of Sindh Prof. Dr.  Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro expressed that on World Cancer Day, we have to speak out with one voice to dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer. Under the theme “We Can. I Can” individuals, and communities are encouraged to shed light on this World Cancer Day. This February 4th marks global efforts to advance cancer research and focus on methods to minimize the global burden of disease.

He added that the World Cancer Campaign calls on all those with a say in how children live their lives, parents, teachers, health workers and decision makers to help children make healthy choices that can mean a cancer free future.

Prof. Muhammad Aziz Lehgari expressed that the word Cancer is very scary, but the scenario could be more frightening if you or any of your loved one is being diagnosed with the disease. But, the fact is that most cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, early detection, and treatment. These include a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, avoiding tobacco products, etc. Remember, the lifestyle choices that you make every day, no matter how small they are, can create a big difference in your life. However, delaying the treatment can worsen the condition thereby resulting in cancer deaths.

The Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro Mr. Munawar Ali Mahesar expressed that World Cancer Day is a unique opportunity to raise awareness that much can be done at an individual, community, and governmental level, to harness and mobilize these solutions and catalyze positive change. By moving forward together, we have the potential to show Cancer that it is not beyond us.

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