Guwahati : World Cancer Day was observed at various locations on February 04 every year as the day focuses to raise cancer awareness.The highlights of the day were “Pledge For Action” campaign in 10 public locations in Guwahati, Inter-College poster competition withNational Service Scheme (NSS), interview of cancer survivors, and screening of common cancers in Barpeta, Kamrup (R), Jorhat, Nagaon and Dibrugarh.

In Assam, 32,000 cancer cases are detected every year, of which 70% arefound at an advanced stage, leading to a high mortality rate at 40-50%. Common cancers like breast, uterine cervix and oral cavity are preventable and curable if detected and treated at an early stage. Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF),a joint partnership between the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts was set up in December 2017 to create a first-of-its-kind, three-level cancer grid in the state, organized a number of awareness activities on the occasion in many parts of the state.

50% of all cancers are caused due to consumption of tobacco in some form. Hence, ACCF is also working on prevention – tobacco control, early detection, treatment and palliative care.

Dr.Nirmal Kumar Hazarika – Medical Advisor, ACCF said “Today is World Cancer Day, the only day on global health calendar where we can all unite and rally under one banner of ‘Cancer’ in a positive and inspiring way. The theme for the year 2019 ‘I am and I will’ appeals all of us to extend our support to cancer patients by promising to be with them today and always. They and their families need to improve the quality of life free from the problems associated with cancer.”

Modern medicine has evolved a disease-oriented approach, in which suffering is given less attention than the effort to conquer disease. In the context of cancer, palliative medicine offers a model of care that is based on the control of the disease and its symptoms coupled with psychosocial and spiritual support. To sensitize on palliative care, a panel discussion was held by experts and informative leaflets were distributed in State Cancer Institute at Guwahati and at ACCF Palliative Care Unit-AMC, Dibrugarh.

Dr Ashok Das, Cancer Surgeon from Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati said, “Tobacco is the major culprit for cancers in Assam with 48.2% people in the state consuming tobacco in some or the other form. I am seeing younger and younger patients in our hospital. Prevention of tobacco use is the best way to reduce the incidence of cancer in the state.”

The events had an overwhelming response from across communities and individuals.