World Cancer Day observed at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati

Dr. Jagannath Dev Sharma, Professor of Pathology and Chairman of WCD committee of BBCI, delivered the welcome address during the public meeting.

Kopil Bora in his speech highlighted the dedication of all the staff of the BBCI towards treatment of cancer patients.

"To fight cancer we have to act individually and together, which is the theme of this year's WCD. I am, I will. Also people should adopt healthy lifestyle and dietary practices," further said Bora.

Mr. Pranay Bordoloi appreciated the BBCI for its pioneering role in cancer treatment in North East India. He further said, "Press and electronic media have a big role to play in cancer control."

According to Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI, the World Cancer Day is celebrated globally with the aim to inform and encourage people on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. "The main obstacle in cancer control is the lack of awareness, prevailing taboos and misconception about cancer. The World CancerDay is a global effort to remove these obstacles. Tobacco use is one of the single most important risk factors for cancer. A study has found that 66% of teenage smokers felt smoking starts as an inspiration for outlook and personality. This is the very reason cine star and other public personalities have to speak against the menace of tobacco. As per the recently released report of National Cancer Registry Programme under Indian Council of Medical Research, one in four men and one in six women of the state are at the risk of developing cancer, which is highest in India," Dr. Kataki said.

Dr. Srabana Misra Bhagabaty, Associate Professor and in-charge of Preventive Oncology presented the month-long activities in the context of World Cancer Day. Accoding to him, different community outreach has been planned by BBCI for the month of February for cancer prevention and control in Chandrapur, Rani, Tepasia, Medhipara, Kalitakuchi, Jalukbari, Tihu, Patsala, Boko, Chhaygaon, Gopinath Nagar, and Lokhra in Kamrup District, Assam. Moreover, Information Education Communication (IEC) activity will be carried out on three different shopping malls of Guwahati.

The month-long activities kick-started with day-long free common cancers, diabetes, and high blood pressure detection camp for the general public at BBCI on 2nd February2021. A short skit was played by the staff of tobacco quit line services of BBCI for awareness.

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