Cancer is a major risk globally. The number of cancer patients and deaths is increasing year after year. India has seen a rapid increase in cancer cases in the last few years. According to the World Health Organization, about 10 million people died due to cancer last year. Cancer can be of many types. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are among the most common cancers.
By making people aware of cancer, a healthy life can be achieved through its timely prevention and treatment. National Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every year in India to increase awareness about cancer detection, prevention, and treatment. Let us know about the history, importance, and theme of National Cancer Awareness Day.
When is National Cancer Awareness Day celebrated?
On this day people are made aware of cancer. The most serious types of cancer include breast cancer. According to a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 105.4 out of every 1 lakh women in India are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in the month of October to prevent this serious cancer.
History of National Cancer Awareness Day
Union Minister for Health and Family Planning, Dr. Harsh Vardhan first announced the celebration of National Cancer Awareness Day. In the year 2014, in the month of September, a committee was formed, which decided to celebrate National Cancer Awareness Day on 7th November every year. He started state-level movements on cancer control and encouraged people to report to municipal clinics for free screening.
Why is Cancer Awareness Day celebrated only on 7th November?
There is a special reason to celebrate Cancer Awareness Day on 7th November. This day is the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Madame Curie. Madame Curie made an important contribution in fighting cancer. Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every year on the occasion of Madame Curie's birthday to remember her contribution.
Common symptoms of cancer and the importance of this day
Cancer is a serious disease, in which a group of cells in the body start growing unrealistically and take the form of cancer. Cancer can develop in different parts and organs of the body, such as the brain, prostate, breast, kidney, liver, and other parts of the body. Some common symptoms of cancer are excessive and persistent cough, blood in saliva, change in urination pattern, spots, moles, and skin changes, change in skin color and texture, unexplained pain and fatigue, etc.
To understand the need for timely identification of this deadly disease, a celebration of Cancer Awareness Day was started. On this day, free screening is provided to people in government hospitals and municipal clinics.
(PC: Freepik)
