Awareness on Cancer prevention held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 26 2013:
Besides avoiding tobacco products, consuming more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, and limiting consumption of meats and processed foods are effective measures for cancer prevention.
This was stated by Dr Th Tomcha, Professor and Head of Radiotherapy, RIMS while speaking as a resource person at a one-day cancer awareness programme at Ngairangbam under Konthoujam AC in Imphal West today.
Dr Tomcha noted that the level of usage of tobacco products in the State is very high while also strongly advocating avoidance of tobacco and its products.
In ten/twenty years, various types of cancer would be detected in the State of which the most common would be mouth cancer, throat cancer and stomach cancer, he said.
The intake of tobacco in the body would surely have its effects, Dr Tomcha said.
Observing the high consumption rate of paan by people of the State including women, Dr Tomcha said the ingredients of Paan like tobacco, raw lime and betel nut have chemicals that could cause cancer.
Pointing out that the use of tobacco products is illegal and being banned, he urged all concerned to stop using banned materials that are also harmful and toxic for health.
Dr Tomcha recommended consumption of vegetables, fruits and avoiding processed foods as preventive for cancer.
He also said making the body active daily and not gaining weight would prevent cancer infection besides avoiding tobacco products, adding this would ensure 70 percent chances of cancer infection.
Another resource person, Dr Y Indibor said 1500 fresh cases of cancer people are detected in the State annually.
80 percent of them could not be cured as most of them are detected at the later stage.
As such, the illness is dreaded.
Cautioning against breast cancer in women, Dr Indibor said any abnormality in menstrual cycle should be consulted with experts without any delay.
The awareness camp was jointly organised by Manipur State Cancer Relief Federation and Western Sporting Club.
The inaugural function of the programme was graced by MP (LS) Dr Th Meinya and MLA K Sarat Singh as the chief guest and president respectively.
The guests of honour were Adhyaksha of Imphal East ZP, Ch (O) Bijenti Devi and pradhan of Ngairangbam GP, S Indubala.
Dr Meinya noted that the number of cancer patients applying for the Prime Minister Relief Fund increased during the last few years.
This shows that cancer patients in the State increased manifold.