‘Cancers Conquerable’

Jammu, Feb 9: Experts at the ‘World Can Awarethon’ held in Jammu Friday said that cancers were conquerable and there was a need to stay aware, follow preventive measures, and seek help at the earliest.

A statement issued here said that Jammu’s first cancer awareness mega event ‘World Can Awarethon’ was initiated by senior consultant breast and colorectal cancer surgeries and executive committee member of ACRSI, Dr Shabnam Bashir and organised by J&K Sports Council under the aegis of Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India (ACRSI) and Vattikuti Foundation at MA Stadium Jammu as a celebration of World Cancer Awareness Week.

The World Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated on February 4.

In her cancer awareness talk, Dr Shabnam discussed about the subtle signs and symptoms and preventive measures, Purple Human Ribbon creation, and a Cancer Awareness Walkathon by all participants to reiterate the importance of physical activity and fitness in cancer prevention.

“Cancers were conquerable only if we decide to stay aware and follow the preventive measures and seek help at the earliest. And those detected early have a great prognosis, hence, the need to create awareness about subtle signs and symptoms of cancers and emphasise the role of screenings, early detection, and preventive lifestyle modifications,” she said. “Around 40 to 50 percent of factors are modifiable like smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity, alcohol, and infections.”

Around 300-350 students participated in the event.

The highlights of the event were a yoga demonstration to emphasise the role of de-stressing by J&K Sports Council to the young sports persons.

A cancer awareness pamphlet (credit Astra Zeneca) was launched and distributed amongst all participants and the people.

The chief guest of the event was Deputy Director Department of Youth Services and Sports Jitender Mishra.

The event was attended by various doctors who re-iterated the participation of various institutions and organisations in collaborating for such public awareness activities.