The silent killer
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: February 05, 2013 -

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

In an effort to fight against Cancer and also to disseminate information and facts about the epidemic disease, its treatments and preventive measures among the public, every year February 4 is being observed all over the globe as World Cancer Day.

The worldwide observance is an initiative under the guidance of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a leading cancer fighting organisation endorsed by more than more than 760 member organisations in 155 countries and membership continues to grow.

With the aim to curb and bring down incidences of the deadly disease, World Cancer Day was formed for the first time in 1933 in Geneva, Switzerland under UICC with the support of world's prominent cancer societies, treatment centres, research institutes and patient groups.

Cancer, of cause, is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body.

However, one common defining feature of any type of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. This process is referred to as metastasis.

Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer. This year's theme 'Cancer - Did you know?' focuses on the World Cancer Declaration, adopted by the United in 2011, which aspires to "dispel damaging myths and misconceptions" about the disease.

Indeed, Cancer is not just a health issue today. It has far-reaching development and human rights implication. It is also no more a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries.

As a matter of fact, almost half the global total of cancer cases and 55% of cancer-related deaths are occurring in developing countries including India.

In India alone, cancer cases are being projected to be increased by 78 percent by 2030. Moreover, it is neither a death sentence nor fate, provided timely action is taken for diagnosis and treatment.

Many of us may be familiar with the slogan 'Cancer is curable if diagnosed early'. But nonetheless, consistent increase in the incidence of cancer of different types all over the world has come to pose a serious health challenge today.

Although there have been significant and dramatic advances in understanding the risk and prevention of cancer, and early detection and treatment is said to have revolutionized management of cancer, yet cancer of different forms has emerged as one of the most common and life-threatening diseases in the world today.

According to the World Cancer Death of Medindia, the estimated number of deaths due to cancer this year as on Monday, February 04, 2013 ( that is today) is 6202080 per year, 516840 per month, 16992 per day, 708 per hour and 11.8 per minute. This figure is simply astounding.

Can Manipur, which has ranked 5th position in terms of Tobacco usage in India (in accordance to the recently released Global Adult Tobacco Survey Gates Manipur Factsheet, 2009-2010), remain indifferent to the ongoing global effort to fight against the silent killer?

Definitely, not.

For the starter, the State Government can, at least, put a ban on tobacco products in the State.

And sooner, the better.