The National Cancer Awareness Day is annually observed across India on 7th November to create awareness about the prevention and early detection of Cancer among the general public. The first National Cancer Awareness Day was observed in 2014.
Background:
i.Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare in September 2014 announced that The National Cancer Awareness Day will be annually observed on 7th November.
ii.The National Cancer Awareness Day on 7th November coincides with the birth anniversary of French- Polish Physicist and Nobel laureate Madame Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (1903).
Cancer in India:
i.According to World Health Organisation (WHO),cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and in 2018 there were approximately 18 million cases globally, of which 1.5 million were in India alone.
ii.There were around 0.8 million cancer deaths in India in 2018 against 9.5 million globally. The numbers of new cases are estimated to double in India by 2040.
iii.Oral cavity and lung cancer accounts for more than 25% of deaths in males and oral and breast cancer accounts for 25% cancers in females.
Prevention and early detection of Cancer:
i.The National Cancer Awareness day encourages people to report to the government hospitals, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and municipal clinics for free cancer screening.
ii.The government circulates information booklets to create and spread awareness on the prevention and early symptoms of cancer.
World Health Organisation(WHO) on Prevention of Cancer:
According to WHO, around 30% to 50% of the deaths due to cancer can be prevented by modifying and avoiding the risk factors and implementing evidence based prevention strategies.
Steps to Prevent cancer:
- Avoiding the Usage of Tobacco (cigarettes and smokeless tobacco)
- Maintaining healthy weight
- Diet with fruits and vegetables
- Regular exercise
- Limited usage of alcohol
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister– Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State– Ashwini Kumar Choubey
