Cutting the clouds of Myths about Cancer

Mukta Srivastava *

Tobacco products which are widely in use in the State :: Pix - TSE

The present decade is synonymous to a sunflower with its dark center reflecting a profuse cloud of myths about cancer and the bright periphery emancipating its complete treatment. The myths about cancer go parallel to the fact that it is now completely treatable. The days are long gone when cancer was considered as a disease equivalent to death sentence. The present century embarks a new horizon with a highly revolutionized medical setup unfortunately emasculated by increasing burden of myths about this serious medical illness.

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) took a bold move to support goals of world cancer declaration written in 2008 and declared 4th of February as World Cancer Day. This declaration needs to be strongly addressed in the present era or else the breeze of myths about cancer might transform the dense cloud of medical advancement with respect to cancer into a hazy mass of myths.

The increasing concern about the impact of myths urged the grey matter of medical minds to enunciate the theme for this World Cancer Day as "Debunk the myths." In a personal interview with Senior Oncologist and President, Rajasthan Cancer Foundation some important conclusions were made in regard to Cancer. He quoted "Cancer burden in India can be reduced by resetting the priorities with a higher focus on effective and measurable elimination of all evidence-based risk factors and establishing screening of oral, cervical and breast cancers along with optimal pain relief in all with advanced cancers. These will be more cost-effective than the current strategy to advance treatment techniques".

His quote is the true reflection of his dedicated work since years and the knowledge with respect to this medical terminology. Cancer is a generic term for large group of diseases that can affect any part of body. According to World Health Organization (WHO), 7.6 million people worldwide died from cancer in 2010. The massive statistics with respect to cancer deaths is attributable to several causes viz. Lifestyle factors diet, physical activity etc. In reference to data from WHO Cancer deaths are due to five leading causes like behavioral and dietary risk, high body mass index (BMI), low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol use etc.

In addition to above captioned factors the tentacles of risk for cancer also extends to the viral mode. The infection from viruses such as HBV/HCV and HPV are responsible for 20 percent of cancer deaths in low and middle income countries. On being asked, Dr Gupta very well corroborated the reason behind increasing incidences of Cancer. He said, " Working with strategies which have not succeeded significantly is the major reason. In particular, it is reference to advance cancer treatment techniques without focusing on prevention, early detection and palliation."

Cancer is not only a health issue rather a matter of social concern too. Cancer affects not only the person medically and psychologically but has a great impact on society as well. The myths are spreading like fire in the society and the irony here is that the cause behind the spread of such a myth is society itself. Debunking the myths is the call of hour. This cancer day must bring a renaissance in the thinking of people with respect to cancer. The movement to bring this change has already gained momentum on the social platform with "Purple your profile" fashion on twitter. This hash tag on twitter is dedicated in the honour of cancer survivors across the planet. In the present scenario social media is the most powerful tool to revolutionize the ancient practice of developing cancer and spreading the positive note about its complete treatment.

Dr Gupta was keen on sharing his opinion about role of social media to act as savior against the budding myths about cancer. He avers, It will be definitely be hugely successful in longer term through promotion of prevention and early detection by elimination of its risk factors and implementation of screening of oral, cervical and breast cancers. But, it can also be utilized in short- and mid- terms by promoting cancer survivors network- such support groups can assist the recently diagnosed cancer patients and carers.

The theme in regard to World Cancer Day must not go in vain. It must establish a new landmark in the society. The increasing strings of myths can bring about a catastrophe both socially and economically. In the statistics of WHO, the cost attributable to cancer would be 453 billion USD whereas the basic package to control risk factors would be 2 billion USD that is less than 0.5 percent of the total cost.

The century has evolved tremendously from the technical aspect in the medical sector and now the society must act as a safeguard against all myths. These must be prevented to hit the shore of medical advancement in cancer. The catalyst of development is required to play the lead role in Cancer research. This world cancer day must reverberate a positive note in the world regarding Cancer and its prevention. The same was reflected in the message quoted Dr Rakesh Gupta. He strongly supported the theme for this year's World Cancer Day for a country like India by saying, "It suits India very much for a high utility index. It is high time that IEC gets a wider platform on a sustainable basis through media, hoardings, focus-group discussions, community programs, etc."

The quoted lines must be reflected in every new work in the lead for cancer prevention. In the Asian sub continent and in a country like India, the myths and the developmental strategies for cancer prevention seems to converge on a common axis. This association with a resemblance to Lichen must be destroyed with supreme urgency. Also the Oncologist shared a strong opinion on the vital importance of society in promoting cancer prevention. He said, "The societies should be sensitized, motivated and empowered to implement the proposed measures for the anticipated positive outcomes which should be measured to know what works along with identification of challenges and barriers to improvise and improve further."

This World Cancer Day must also address another important issue in addition to debunking the myths. This day strongly needs to call for tobacco control with the highest degree as possible. Tobacco is responsible for major types of illness like Cancer, Tuberculosis and other NCD's. The Government of India and other republics have already taken strong moves to nullify the use of tobacco among public. In reference to the strong legislative move suggested by the Senior Oncologist, Dr Gupta the ways to reduce tobacco consumption among the masses is to prohibit sale of loose cigarettes and bidis along with sale of chewable tobacco only in tin containers for no-less-than 100 grams in addition to a uniform rise in tobacco tax linking it to the price index.

This World Cancer Day must witness a strong unison from the human race for its own survival. The day must not confine its strong urge for cancer prevention to few weeks rather the spirit must go on with a continued vigor throughout. The clouds of myths about cancer need to be cleared to pave way for a cancer free world across the planet Earth.