I Am, and I Will
Together, all our actions matter
4 February is observed as World Cancer Day. It aims to raise awareness about Cancer and pressing governments and individuals worldwide to act against the disease. Most cancers get diagnosed at a later stage, and the precious time is lost to give a patient a quality life ahead. Many different types of Cancers can occur in young people. WHO reports that Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common form of the disease. Currently, the overall cancer incidence in India is low. As India continues to age, cancer cases will double every 20 years. Cancer exists, and it could happen to anyone and everyone. Once a family member is diagnosed with Cancer, gloom looms. Fear of death, draining of resources, financial and time ensuring emotional support to the patient and more importantly, the family members. Only the commitment to act will lead to progress in reducing the global impact of Cancer. It is the commitment of governments, communities and more importantly people themselves.
Stakeholders from all sectors must now begin working together to ensure this latest global commitment document translates into impactful national action, particularly in LMICs where the cancer burden is set to increase most rapidly
Prof. Sanchia Aranda
Past president of Union of International Cancer Control
4 February is observed as World Cancer Day. It aims to raise awareness about Cancer and pressing governments and individuals worldwide to act against the disease. On this day in 2000, at the beginning of the millennium, the Charter of Paris Against Cancer is signed by the then French President, Jacques Chirac and then General Director of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura. It attempts to address the global burden of the Cancer and an opportunity to pay tribute to the healthcare workers who continuously attend to the effected and working towards both preventing and curing this disease. 2019 spearheaded the first year of the three-year ‘I Am, and I Will’ campaign and a commitment to act. 2020 was a historic year marking 20th anniversary of world cancer day, reflecting “Progress is Possible”.
Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
Some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues called Cancer. It can happen almost anywhere in the human body. Usually, human cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them and replace the old cells. A situation would develop where the old cells survive, and new cells form when they are not required and result in tumour growth. The cancerous cells are less specialised and ignore signals to stop growing, resulting in uncontrolled growth.
It is reported that over 100 types of cancers affect humans. More than 20% of deaths due to Cancer are caused using tobacco. About 10% are due to lack of physical activity or excessive drinking of alcohol. Worryingly 15% of cancers are due to hepatitis, human papillomavirus infection, and HIV. Genetic defects also result in Cancer (5-10%). Some of the most common cancer types, including breast cancer, cervical Cancer, Oral Cancer, and colorectal Cancer have high cure rates when detected and treated early. Childhood cancer generally cannot be prevented or screened. Unlike Cancer in adults, most childhood cancers do not have a known cause. Most childhood cancers can be cured if prompt and essential treatment is given. Childhood cancer survival rates are over 80% in high-income countries and as low as 20% in low-income countries.
Most cancers get diagnosed at a later stage, and the precious time is lost to give a patient a quality life ahead. There is a need for putting in place effective screening methods for early diagnosis. When one encounters a life-threatening disease like Cancer, the first step towards its prevention is awareness. As a modern civilisation, we have come up with a cure for everything. However, still, the life-threatening problem of Cancer remains intact. WHO reports that Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the most common form of the disease? “For the first time, breast cancer now constitutes the most commonly occurring cancer globally,”
Currently, the overall cancer incidence in India is low (94 per 100,000 people). It is about a third of that recorded in more developed countries (268 per 100,000). It is estimated that as India continues to age, cancer cases will double every 20 years. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha would bear the brunt in the coming two decades. Lung, breast, cervical and colorectal Cancer are some cancers that are most common in India.
When we discuss care for cancer patients, we cannot but recall the extraordinary life and contributions of Dr V. Shanta. As Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai, concentrated her efforts towards making quality and affordable cancer treatment accessible to all patients in her country. India mourned the passing away Dr Shanta in January. Another significant contributor to cancer care and treatment is Tata Memorial Hospital, a DAE institution providing high-quality cancer care across the country.
It appears quite certain that disruptions to cancer services in the past year will lead to diagnosis at later stages which in turn will translate into higher cancer-related mortality. However, it is heartening to see the incredible response of the cancer community to mitigate these consequences both in India and elsewhere.
Dr Anil D’ Cruz
President of Union of International Cancer Control
COVID pandemic has its impact on almost every aspect of life, and cancer care is not an exception. Lockdowns, restrictions, and hearth care systems burden and focussed on pandemic forced cancer patients’ treatment took a backseat.
Cancer exists, and it could happen to anyone and everyone. While creating a robust health infrastructure is essential, there is a need to talk about it and adopt healthy habits. It is equally important that people talk about Cancer and make simple lifestyle changes to prevent its spread. Once a family member is diagnosed with Cancer, gloom looms over the family. Fear of death, draining of resources, financial and time. Ensuring emotional support to the patient and more importantly, the family members.
Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. It is also said that Cancer is evil or destructive practice or phenomenon that is hard to contain or eradicate. The societies are guilty of adopting such practices making it difficult to eliminate this dreadful disease.
Only the commitment to act will lead to progress in reducing the global impact of Cancer.
It is the commitment of governments, communities and more importantly people themselves.
Toons: Anusha and Reema Jaiswal
Logs: Sai Baba
