Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: World Cancer Day, an initiative under which the world can unite to raise the profile of cancer in a positive and inspiring way, was observed today by various educational and health institutions under the theme “I Am and I Will”.
In this connection, a grand function was organized in the Oncology Ward of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu in association with Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu. Principal of the Institution, Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma was the chief guest while Vinod Malhotra (honorary secretary, Red Cross), KH Rizvi (general secretary, Red Cross) were guests of honour. More than 100 health workers participated in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Head, Oncology Department of GMC Jammu, laid emphasis on periodic screening and diagnosis of the diseases for timely treatment and observed that an effective awareness campaign needs to be launched by the Government in collaboration with the civic society for prevention, detection and treatment of this disease. The awareness lectures with power point presentation were also given by Dr Pramod Kalsotra, Dr Rajesh Gupta, Dr Shabnam Gupta, Dr Sunny Jandyal and Dr Isha Kohli.
The Day was observed at Aryans Institute of Nursing, Rajpura, near Chandigarh in association with Fortis Hospital, Mohali by organizing a webinar which was presided over by Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group. Dr Naval Bansal, Breast, Thyroid & Endocrine Cancer Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, while explaining preventive measures of cancer said that healthy life style proves to be the savior from cancer as well. He further stressed on various important factors including nutritious diet, avoiding tobacco and midday sun, and maintaining a healthy weight.
In connection with World Cancer Day, Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (ICELA), J&K Chapter held a meeting under the chairmanship of Capt LK Sharma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Retd), in Jammu and deliberated upon the objectives, spirit and vision on the World Cancer Day. Prominent among those participated in the deliberation were Ashok Sharma (former Legislator and Convener ICELA J&K Chapter), Dr YP Sawhney, BR Bandral, Madan Singh, Rashpal Chand, Dr Yash Pal Sharma, Ashwani Sharma, Gitanjali Goswamy, Arjun Sharma, Indu Sharma, Nakul Sharma and Kailash Nath.
To mark the occasion, a grand programme was organized at Rajiv Gandhi College of Nursing (RGCN), Jammu. M S Katoch (Chairman RGCN), Abhimanyu Katoch (MD, RGCN), Anjana Bavouria (CEO, RGCN) and Rafiqa Bashir (Principal RGCN) were present on the occasion. A lot of activities like poster making competition, quiz, power point presentations and speeches focusing on Cancer Day were organized for the students.
On World Cancer Day, a specially designed psycho oncology workshop was conducted by Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Psychiatry. Addressing the workshop, Principal Dr Anjali Nadir Bhat highlighted the foresight of Government for having started Radiation Oncology Departments in new GMCs. A message from Director New Medical Colleges Dr Yashpal Sharma was also read out. On the occasion, Lajwanti Bhagatnath Radiations of Hope (a Cancer Care Foundation Trust) distributed cheques to some cancer patients for supporting their treatment.
NSS Unit of Govt College of Education, Jammu organized an informative session ‘Cancer Talks’ in the college premises. The program was organized to spread awareness about the deadly disease and inform the students about the possible preventive measures that can be taken. The event was successfully organized by Dr Shubhra Jamwal, NSS Programme Officer of GCOE along with Prof Shapia Shameem, Prof Seema and Prof Neeraj.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kulwinder Kour, Principal GCOE, said that there has been a consistent increase in the number of deaths due to cancer and it is necessary to hold such discussions to aware the youth.
The program comprised of a guest lecture by the speaker of the day Dr Nadeem Shoket, Consultant Medical Oncology, American Oncology Institute, Jammu who elaborated upon the various facets of this disease in detail and answered the queries of the students. The student volunteers who helped in organizing the event were Ravinder Kumar, Priya Chivalry Singh, Ajay Bhau and Madan.
GDC Vijaypur organized a digital as well as an offline awareness campaign in the college to reduce the misconceptions about cancer and help students get right information about it. Prof Poonam Kundan, Department of Environmental Science, GDC Vijaypur, educated students on what cancer is, how to identify its symptoms, causes and prevention of cancer, treatment and how to dispel social myths related to cancer.
To observe the Day, an extension lecture was organized in Government PG College Rajouri. Dr Abdul Hakeem, Assistant Professor Radiation Oncology, GMC Rajouri was resource person. Dr Hakeem gave a power point presentation on the causes, sources and the treatment of various types of cancer. Principal of College, Prof (Dr) Shakeel Ahmed Raina, in his address, said that awareness is the main way against prevention of cancer.
In GDC Ramnagar, a two-day workshop was organized to spread awareness regarding the cancer. On day one, a rally of the NSS volunteers and college students proceeded to the town market to raise the awareness among the masses with the help of slogans. Today, on second day, an interactive session was held in which Dr Mehboob, BMO Ramnagar was the guest speaker. He provided a detailed insight on cancer while laying major emphasis on breast cancer.
Red Ribbon Club of GCW Bhagwati Nagar organized a lecture by Dr Sandeep Kour, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiotherapy GMC, Jammu, to mark the World Cancer Day. In her lecture, Dr Kour talked about the significance of the day, aimed at ending the stigma, myths related to the disease. Principal Prof Minnie Sharma urged upon the students to maintain a healthy life style and be aware of the signals being received from one’s own body.
Government MAM College Jammu organized a poster making competition and an awareness rally on cancer under the supervision of Principal Prof Sunil Uppal, in the College campus.
To observe the Day, an event was organized at SKIMS Soura wherein the experts deliberated on prevalence, detection, awareness and treatment of various cancers. The experts including Prof Nazir A Khan, Dr Mir Hussain, Dr Shah Naveed and Dr Reshma Roshan also discussed treatment modalities available for patients at SKIMS, which is the main centre in UT of J&K for providing specialized treatment to cancer patients. Director SKIMS Dr A G Ahangar emphasized the role of both preventive and curative strategies adopted by SKIMS to combat cancer.
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