Tirupati: The cancer incidence in India is stated to be about 1.2 million per annum, however this is an underestimate since we do not have a well developed reporting system and do not yet have a fully implemented population based cancer registry across India, said Dr T.S. Ravikumar, Director-cum-Vice Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara Insitute of Medical Sciences(Svims).
Addressing the gathering on the occcasion of World Cancer Free Day at Sri Padmavathi Auditorium of Svims on Thursday, Dr Ravikumar said annually 14 million new cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide, of which 2.2 million are attributed to carcinogen infections. He said, nowadays people are suffering with --lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, stomach and liver cancers-- worldwide. In India, cancers of oral cavities, breast, cervix, lung, stomach / oesophagus are dominant.
He also stated that certain viruses, bacteria and parasites cause cancer and are included in 'Group 1' carcinogens. He suggested the youth, to avoid smoking and usage of tobacco products and advised them to propagate the same for public and NGOs to make cancer-free society.
"Two decades ago, it was estimated that about one in six cancer pathogens, now, with the links between several viruses and infections such as H. Pylori are getting established. Therefore the estimates could be about one in five cancers are caused by chronic infections. This is very important, since such studies provide targeted opportunities for prevention and treatment. Tobacco control of management of infections caused by viruses and H.Pylon bacteria together can prevent 25-40 per cent of cancers in India," Dr Ravikumar said.
He also announced that Svims is having medical, surgical and radiation oncology wings to give complete treatment for the needy. He also suggested the youth, to avoid smoking and usage of tobacco products and advised them to propagate the same for public, patients and NGOs to come forward to give awareness in society for all sections of people to make cancer-free society.
