World Cancer Day observed in Hailakandi

Feb.5: World Cancer Day was observed in Hailakandi here on Thursday. At a function held at Serishpore tea garden, a cancer screening cum awareness programme was conducted. 51 patients were screened and no cancer case was detected. Following examination at a general health camp, medicine were distributed to the patients free of cost.

Doctors and officials from the National Health Mission, District NCD Cell and 104 Sanjivani spoke on the significance of the day to spread awareness about cancer and the stigma associated with the disease. They called upon the people to unite and fight against the disease through detection, early diagnosis, treatment and extending moral support. The Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) has taken the observance of World Cancer Day as a ‘global uniting initiative’.

Side by side, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) meeting was held by the District Tobacco Control Cell with tobacco users, as tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths globally. World Cancer Day is being celebrated since 2000, when it was first established at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. It was on 4 February, 2000 that the ‘Charter of Paris Against Cancer’ was signed by the General Director of UNESCO and then French President.

This year’s theme is ‘I Am and I Will’, which is being continued since 2019. This is the last year to observe this theme. One of the mottos of the theme is ‘together, all our actions matter’. With the pandemic affecting the world, the cancer-affected people have had a tough time dealing with their ailment. The UICC highlighted this issue and expressed gratitude towards the medical workers as well as researchers, volunteers, advocates and other stakeholders from around the world. They also praised the government agencies for working through the COVID-19 pandemic ceaselessly and unrelentingly.
.