Authors
M Krishnan Nair, MD, FRCR, FRCP, Founder Director, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram-695011.
Abstract
Introduction: India was one of the first few counties in the world to initiate a Cancer Control Programme in 1984 with laudable objectives such as prevention of tobacco related Cancer, early detection of cancers in accessible sites and expansion of treatment facilities and palliative care.
Problem: It is simply because we totally neglected the principles and components of cancer control such as prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment and palliative care which are essential for comprehensive control of this disease.
Observations & Recommendations: The lack of awareness about the warning signals of early cancer make patients complacent about the serious nature of their illness. Simple messages like the importance of long standing cough, white patches in the mouth, hoarseness and loss of voice, bloated abdomen, blood and mucous in the stools or bloody urine, post coital bleeding and lumps in the breast if impressed as warning signs for cancer, the population would be motivated to seek medical assistance. There is a long delay between development of symptoms and seeking of medical advice.
Keywords: Cancer control programmes, Cancer detection, Cancer prevention, Tobacco.