Women scribes briefed on breast cancer
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 30 2023:
A day-long awareness programme on breast cancer exclusively for women journalists of the state was organised jointly by American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Babina Specialty Hospital, Khabeisoi and Babina Diagnostics along with All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) at Babina Diagnostics, Porompat, on Monday.
Speaking at the programme organised under the theme -Thrive 360", chairman and managing director of Babina Healthcare and Hospitality Industries Pvt Ltd Dr Thangjam Dhab-ali referred to study reports about increasing prevalence rate of cancer in India with breast cancer confirmed as world's most widespread cancer disease accounting for 12.7 percent of the total cases followed by lungs cancer at 1.2 percent.
He further said that breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and therefore should be kept as the top priority among all cancers.
In Manipur, cervical cancer used to be most prevalent earlier before breast cancer surpassed it.
Among the north eastern states, Mizoram has the highest cancer incidence rate among males (274 per 1,00,000) while Arunachal Pradesh has the highest cancer incidence rate among females (170 per 1,00,000), he said and added that Manipur stands low in cancer incidence rate with 74 per 1,00,000 (males) and 103 per 1,00,000 (females).
Dr Dhabali also cited another study stating that one out of every 30 people will suffer from cancer with lungs cancer more prevalent among the males and breast cancer most common among the females.
He also stated that lifestyles and food habits contribute to causing cancer and can be prevented and cured if treated early.
Moreover, creating awareness on cancer among the general public will help in early detection and increased chances of recovery.
AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam, who was present as chief guest of the function, said that climatic changes and unhealthy foods are also the causes of cancer in human beings.
Among the many deadly diseases, breast cancer is counted but it can be cured if diagnosed and treated early.
Therefore, for early diagnosis and treatment, awareness should be imparted to the public.
It is here that the role of journalists comes in.
It is only through their writings that people can be made aware of the danger of breast cancer on a wide scale.
Surgical oncologist AOI Dr Dhanabir Thangjam was also present during the function and provided inputs on cancer.