Tirupati: Cancer can be curable if detected early

Tirupati: SVIMS organised an awareness meeting at the OPD block on the occasion of World Cancer Day on Tuesday. Addressing the patients and their attendants, the Director-cum-Vice- Chancellor Dr. B Vengamma said that cancer is curable if detected earlier. Apart from medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology, the disease can be treated with medicines or surgeries or radiation, she stated.

The VC pointed out that that prevention is more important on which everyone should try to increase awareness in the society. Life style changes occupy a key place in this aspect as 25 per cent of deaths of cancer patients are due to smoking and alcohol consumption. The country has been witnessing 8 lakh new cases every year out of which 20 per cent were dying because of late diagnosis.

Continuous smoking, pollution etc., may lead to lung cancer though smoking can cause many other types of cancers also. Dr Vengamma added that the theme for World Cancer Day for three years from 2019 – 2021 is 'I Am and I Will' which aims at having more awareness and coming out of stigma.

Surgical, radiation and medical oncology doctors Narendra, Bhargavi and Sravan Reddy also spoke on the occasion. A power point presentation was made to create awareness among the people. Dean Dr M Hanumantha Rao, Medical Superintendent Dr Ram and Registrar Dr Sreedhar Babu were also present.