Kolkata, 05th February 2024: Indian Cancer Society (ICS), the largest anti-cancer NGO in the country, has launched many initiatives in the last 7 decades of its existence, creating awareness and prevention of cancer, mitigating risk factors, encouraging regular screening and early detection, providing financial assistance for treatment, and managing life post -treatment, It also provides data through cancer registry services and published the Indian Journal Cancer. ICS’s mission is to reach 50% of the total adult population in the next 10 years with right information and counselling about cancer and ipso facto its early detection leading to its cure.
This Day, as part of the World Cancer Day Celebration, ICS announced the national launch of its ground-breaking multilingual mobile application, ‘Rise Against Cancer’ dedicated to empowering individuals and communities in overcoming the scourge of cancer. Mrs. Usha Thorat, National Managing Trustee, Indian Cancer Society said: ‘Cancer continues to be a global health challenge, affecting millions of lives in India and worldwide. The Delhi branch of ICS took the initiative of harnessing the power of mobile usage to provide a mobile application for providing comprehensive information and guidance to individuals impacted by cancer, and their families. Mrs. Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson, ICS, Delhi Branch, said: “Based on certain insights from the community requirements and need of the hour, ICS has developed this mobile application and believes that Rise against Cancer app will help anyone affected by cancer, enabling them to take control of their health. The app has various sections including an information hub, resource library, events, community and other support groups plus a news and updates section. It is available in 5 languages for 4 cancer types at this stage.” Dr Arunabha Sengupta, Secy ICS Kolkata said, ‘ Medical knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment has reached a stage where most cancers prevalent in our country can be prevented or cured through early detection and treatment but most people cannot take that advantage because of lack of information. This App will help people by supplying relevant formation at their fingertips. That is why ICS Kolkata has made effort to add educative videos in Bengali in this App and will continue to add on that.
World Cancer Day
In an international meet in Paris on 4th February, 2000, under the leadership of International Union Against Cancer all countries took a pledge to work jointly to mitigate the growing problem of cancer destroying human lives across the globe because of its capacity to cause extreme suffering and death. That pledge is renewed every year by celebrating WORLD CANCER DAY on 4th February across the world based on a theme or slogan that highlights a particular area of concern in the fifth against cancer. Taking note that great many patients cannot afford or access the modern costly cancer treatment causing disparities in cancer care between different patient groups belonging to diverse socio economic and even geographical back grounds, the theme CLOSE THE CARE GAP has been chosen for a three-year period of 2022-2024. On this occasion, Globally international organizations and governments engage to plan for future initiatives while locally health activists, cancer care workers from hospitals and voluntary societies organize events to spread awareness messages
About Indian Cancer Society: The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) was founded in 1951 by Dr. D J Jussawalla and Mr. Naval Tata as India’s first non-profit organization for cancer space. The activities of the ICS cover the entire continuum of cancer care: From awareness, screening for early detection, financial help for diagnosis and treatment, support groups, rehabilitation of cancer survivors, to research, registry and education. In addition, ICS publishes the Indian Journal of Cancer, the first indexed oncology journal in India. ICS has screened more than 480000 people and supported 44000 patients for cancer diagnostics, treatment, survivorship, and rehabilitation.
Indian Cancer Society, Kolkata:
Working since 1985, as a regional branch of INDIAN CANCER SOCIETY (ICS) established in Mumbai, 1951, The Kolkata ICS has been actively engaged in cancer control activities by spreading awareness amongst general population about cancer preventive measures and holding early detection camps. Despite Covid restrictions, Kolkata ICS in past three years has conducted more than 300 cancer awareness camps along with other programmes like anti-tobacco campaigns amongst school children. It has obtained a mobile mammography unit to be run by Chitta Ranjan National Cancer Institute, the regional institute of central government, with which it works in close cooperation for treatment of needy patients with annual income below Rs 4 lakhs per anum through its CANCER CURE FUND. Recently a liaison has been established with Marwari Relief Society to treat cancer patients through Swasthya Sathi Programme.
We call on governments around the world to promote health equity, enhance cancer service accessibility, reduce disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, to finally Close the care gap”
Facts about Cancer
As per last official published report GLOBOCAN 2020, the number of new cancer cases diagnosed in world 2020 was 19.3 million, and almost 10.0 million died due to cancer.
GLOBOCAN predicts that the number of cancer cases will increase to 28.4 million in 2040.
Worldwide, female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most common cancer (11.7%).
As far as cancer-related mortality is concerned, lung cancer is the leading cause, responsible for 1.8 million deaths (18%) followed by colorectal (9.4%), liver (8.3%), stomach (7.7%), and female breast (6.9%).
In India nearly 14 lakhs new cancer cases are annually recorded now. One in every 10 person ( both male and female) in India living up to 74 years of age will develop cancer. The 5 most common cancers in India (by rank) are breast, oral cavity, cervix uteri, lung, colo rectum.
Nearly 9 lakh persons in India annually die from cancer.
Current cancer incidence rates for men and women in high-income countries (HIC) are three times higher than the incidence in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). But because of disparity in treatment opportunities and delivery the mortality is higher in LMI countries.
About 30% of cancers occurring in India are preventable through smoking cessation and other measures. The spotlight now is on uterine cervical cancer of women. Cancer cervix is not only detectable easily at an early stage when 90% can be cured but can be prevented with a vaccine which is readily available and soon will be a part of National Immunization Programme by vaccinating school leaving girl students. “Today, we have the real opportunity, know-how and ability to save tens of millions of lives from cervical cancer – one of the most highly preventable and curable forms of cancer.”.
Innovations and commercialization in cancer treatment has brought in huge disparities in cancer treatment delivery and confusion in low SE groups in trying to follow western guidelines. That gap needs to be bridged by structuring patient friendly country wise practical guidelines.