National Cancer Awareness Day 2023 – History, Quiz

Vardhan, who declared the Regional Cancer Centre here as upgraded into the State Cancer Institute, said there were 2.9 million cases of cancer in the country with 1.1 million new cases being reported annually. Two-thirds of cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, reducing patients’ chances of survival, he said, according to an official release.

Vardhan praised Kerala government’s proposed Suhurtham scheme, which makes cancer treatment free in district and medical college hospitals. “I agree that this is a noble idea and I will try my best to back it for adoption all over the country under the 13th Plan. In the meantime, I will consider including it under the universal health insurance component of the proposed Universal Health Assurance Programme,” he said.

Types of Cancer

The major types of cancer are

Carcinoma – Carcinomas are the most common kinds of cancer that develop in skin, lungs, breasts, pancreas, and other glands and organs.

Sarcoma – Although relatively uncommon, these originate in soft or connective tissues of the body like the blood-vessels, bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle.

Melanoma – These arise in skin pigment cells.

Lymphoma – Cancers of lymphocytes.

Leukemia – This is the cancer of the blood.

National Cancer Control Programme

With the emergence of Cancer as a growing threat to Public health, the Indian Government, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, initiated the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) in 1975

The following are the features of the programme

• The program has had many major accomplishments such as the establishment of the National Cancer Registry Programme in 1982.
• It gives the most updated information on the burden of cancer in the country and informs policies enacted to fight against cancer such as provisions for additional funding to public hospitals and the creation of cancer centres in 27 regions.
• Through the National Cancer Control Programme, the country was able to put in place effective policies to foster primary prevention such as a tobacco control policy to minimise the negative impacts from the use of tobacco.
• The country also disposes of policies to control and prevent obesity and alcohol abuse, and policies to foster physical activity and ensure that is available for everyone.
• Cancer screening and early detection services are generally offered in public health centers, especially for breast and cervical cancer.
•  The NCCP led to the creation of 27 cancer centers across the country, and 85 additional oncology programs in medical schools.

National Cancer Awareness Day 2023 Activities

• Fund raise for cancer research
• Donate and help those battling with cancer
• Conduct awareness session
• light up the cancer day colors and let the warriors know that they are not alone
• Volunteer yourself and meet and speak to those battling with cancer. Give them strength and confidence
• Join the events conducted by different cancer organisation and be a part of this day
• Many centers organize Cancer Warrior Walk  on World Cancer Day to advocate wellness for Cancer Warriors and advocate cancer as a priority disease globally.
• Educating people and especially the younger generation about the effects and consequences of cancer has such a big impact and by doing so it helps to prevent and reduce the risks of cancer.
• Help people make healthy lifestyle choices that include avoid using tobacco products, getting plenty of physical activity, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, and staying safe in the sun. Conduct awareness session on the same for different age groups.
• Know about signs and symptoms of cancer and early detection guidelines because finding cancer early often makes it easier to treat. This can also be shared as informative posters online and help people get access to this on cancer day
• Give platform for people to share stories about their own cancer experiences, communicate with decision-makers, and join support groups to help make positive change for all people affected by cancer.
• When possible help those survivors of cancer to use work and other daily activities during and after cancer treatment as opportunities to maintain normality, routine, stability, social contact, and income.
• There is nothing good as free especially if it is for your own health. Most cancer institutes offer free screening on different types of cancer. Take part in screening. You can’t promote cancer to other people if yourself don’t take it into consideration.

National Cancer Awareness Day Quiz 2023

8. What common sleep aid, has been shown in a few studies to potentially increase survival time in lung (and other) cancer patients when used in combination with chemotherapy?

a) Chamomile tea

b) Melatonin

c) ASMR

d) Decaf coffee

10. Which of the following biological pathways could be affected by aberrant miRNA expression?

a) Proliferation

b) Migration

c) Apotosis

d) All of the above

Ans: a)

11. Presence of trace elements such as zinc in the bloodstream could contribute to growth of cancer cells.

A) True

B) False

Ans: True

12.  Lung adenocarcinoma is the most diagnosed subtype of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A) True

B) False

Ans: True