With the spread of cancer continuing unabated, there is a need for more exclusive cancer treatment facilities across the country, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said on Thursday.
Speaking after inaugurating the new State Cancer Institute project at the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology here, he said although preventive, curative, and palliative care programmes have been initiated at national and regional levels, the measures seem to be too negligible for combating the spread of cancer. More facilities should be made available in rural areas, he said.
Lauding the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology for its services, the Vice-President said it is advisable for the younger generation to shun junk food and adopt healthy eating habits. This, coupled with exercise, will help prevent cancer, he said.
“It is important to create awareness on the dangers of pollution, obesity, harmful use of tobacco, betel nut, alcohol; leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating junk food are the culprits,” he said.
It is estimated that there are about 30 lakh cases of cancer at any particular point of time, with 10 lakh new cases occurring every year. About five lakh deaths occur annually in the country due to the disease, he said. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the total number of new cases is expected to touch 17.3 lakh by 2020 and deaths rising to touch 8.8 lakh. Breast cancer is the most common among women, while the incidence of mouth cancer is highest among men, he said.
“Data shows that only 12.5% of patients come for treatment in the early stages of the disease and this clearly indicates the need for greater awareness and early detection,” he said.
No waiting period
With the completion of the State Cancer Institute project, the long waiting period for cancer patients to avail radiation therapy may soon be a thing of the past.
Under the project, the hospital has been upgraded at a cost of ₹120 crore.
It has procured four high-end linear accelerators (LINAC) and robotic surgery equipment. Institute Director K.B. Linge Gowda said, at present, patients have to wait five to six weeks to get radiation therapy as over 400 patients avail the treatment daily.
With four new linear accelerators and robotic surgery equipment, there will not be any waiting period. Patients can walk in to get the treatment, he said.