Press Release

State-level awareness programme to dispel cancer myths

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 The word cancer that evokes gory images of pain and trauma is surrounded by several myths such as cancer is a death sentence and cancer is my fate. As experts point out, cancer need not be a final word as early detection and treatment have shown to bring improved outcomes for patients. It is to dispel many of the myths associated with cancer that an awareness programme is being initiated here on the occasion of World Cancer Day, February 4. Swasthi Charitable Foundation, a voluntary social welfare organisation and Tobacco Free Kerala, a coalition led by Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) for tobacco control in the state have joined hands to organise this programme. His Excellency Governor of Mizoram Shri Vakkom B Purushothaman will inaugurate the state-wide awareness programme at St Marys Higher Secondary School, Pattom here on February 4 World Cancer Day at 9.30 a.m. The theme of this awareness programme is Cancer Did you know? Director, RCC Dr Paul Sebastian said, Unlike common perception, not all cancer cases are terminal. Cancer patients, with early diagnosis, treatment, care and management can lead a healthy life. Over 15,000 male and female patients are treated by RCC every year. More awareness is however needed on the preventable causative factors of cancers, most of which are lifestyle linked. Tobacco consumption ranks high in the list of preventable lifestyle factors. It is pitiable to see scores of young lives rendered unhealthy and having to suffer painful diseases such as cancers due to tobacco use, added Dr Sebastian, also Vice Chairman of Tobacco Free Kerala. Auxillary Bishop of Trivandrum Dr Samuel Mar Irenios will preside over the function, in which Organising Secretary, Santhigiri Ashram Swami Gururatnam Jnana Thapaswi; Imam, Palayam Juma Masjid, Moulavi Jamaludeen Mankada and Swami Sookshmananda of Sivagiri Matom will be present. Shri Palode Ravi MLA; Shri Pirappancode Murali Ex MLA; Principal Secretary IT Shri PH Kurien; Addl DGP Shri A Hemachandran; Director of Public Instruction Shri A Shajahan; Prof. & Head, Community Oncology Dr Remani Wesley; noted film actor Shri Jagadish, playback singer Shri G Venugopal and a host of other dignitaries will address the gathering. General Secretary, Swasthi Charitable Foundation Shri Aby George will deliver the welcome address and Principal of St.Marys School Rev. Dr. Varkey Attuparuthu will propose thanks. This will be followed by an interactive Q&A session on cancer and its myths. This session will be handled by Addl Prof., Surgical Oncology, RCC Dr Paul Augustin and Asst Prof., Community Oncology Dr R Jayakrishnan. World Cancer Day is an initiative of Geneva-based Union for International Cancer Control dedicated to the prevention and control of cancer worldwide. The day is observed with the aim of saving millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease. Ends

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