 |
|
||
 |
|||
| Improve Your World | Home | About Us | Sitemap | Search | Contact Us | ||
|
|
||||||||
| Home >> Public Health : News Articles >> Public Health : News Articles |   Email this Page |
|
|||
|
Free cancer detection camps from Nov 7-18 Kounteya Sinha I TNN New Delhi: Worried about a lump on your breast? Afraid it could be breast cancer? Just walk into any of the cancer detection camps, being started by health ministry in over 25 states between November 7 and 18 for a free diagnosis. With cancer cases rocketing in the country and over eight lakh fresh cases being reported every year, health ministry, focusing for the first time on prevention and early diagnosis rather than cure, is setting up free detection camps in all its 25 registered cancer centres and 60 medical colleges across the country from November 7, the National Cancer Awareness Day. Also entering into a unique public-private partnership for the first time, as part of a pilot project, the ministry has tied up with over 30 private hospitals in Delhi and Chennai where cancer diagnosis will be carried out at subsidised rates. Ministry officials say early diagnosis will not only avert 30% of deaths are caused by cancer, it will also reduce the treatment cost and ensure the patient's longevity of life. The ministry's populationbased and hospital-based cancer registry shows that burden of oral, lung, breast and cervical cancer is rocketing. At any given time, there are 25 lakh cancer patients in India. Cancer is also the third biggest killer in the country, accounting for four lakh deaths a year. An official said: "The ministry has decided to focus more on early diagnosis. That's why the cancer detection camps are being set up where anybody can walk in and get a free check-up. The ministry has also written to all state governments to organise similar camps. We are also entering for the first time into a public-private partnership where private hospitals will run camps with tests at subsidised rates." A toll free number (60007823) is also being established where people can address queries and know which centre will be best for them. The ministry has, meanwhile, also asked Planning Commission to increase allocation for cancer prevention and treatment programme from Rs 264 crore to over Rs 2,000 crore in the 11th Plan starting next year. "The number of cancer patients are increasing by the day. The cost of treatment is high. Each machine needed for preventive oncology costs nearly Rs 5 crore. Also at present, patients in Bihar and UP have to travel long distances to reach cancer detection centres. We are therefore upgrading regional cancer treatment facilities," another official said. TOPIC OF CANCER 7-9 million cases of cancer are recorded every year At any given time, there are 25 lakh cancer patients in India Cancer is also the third biggest killer in the country It causes 4 lakh deaths every year. Over 40% of these deaths are attributed to tobacco Experts predict that by 2015, the number of new cases in India will cross 15 lakh URL : http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA2LzExLzAzI0FyMDE2MDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom |
