Coimbatore Taxi News

Cancer patients at cross roads

Cancer is the second major killer disease in our country. There are 20-22 lakhs of cancer cases exist in our country . More than 60% of these patients are in the prime of their life and their death has disastrous consequences to the society and families. In another 10 years, the problem due to cancer burden is likely to become more acute due to the increase in number of cancer cases, due to increase in population (annual growth rate 2.5 %), increasing longevity with result ant increased elderly population, increasing modernity, environmental factors, change of lifestyle with tobacco habits and alcohol consumption, etc. To achieve the best result in cancer treatment “ early detection and proper treatment” must be done.

Those who come by the road of early detection must choose the line of proper treatment and should not choose the road of quackery management. Symptoms for early detection of cancer:-

Change in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere, indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, obvious change in wart or mole and nagging cough or hoarseness of voice. When the patients present with the above symptoms, they must approach their family physician. Investigations like endoscopy, ultra-sonogram, CT-scan, etc help in diagnosis. Needle biopsy, which is the latest in biopsy techniques confirms the presence of cancer, which can be done in any part of the country as an out patient procedure nowadays. What is to be done for proper management of cancer?

Cancer is usually managed by treatment modalities like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc. Appropriate combinations of the above therapies at appropriate timings is the key for success in cancer management, which is possible only by an oncologist. The first treatment given to the cancer patient is the best treatment. Hence, when a patient is diagnosed of suffering from cancer, he must approach the proper qualified oncologist for their treatment. Only a qualified oncologist can give treatment to cancer No home remedy, magic charm or locket, hydrotherapy (water treatment), special diet regimens, advertised “secret” remedy have ever cured cancer. .

Prof. Dr.B.K.C. Mohan Prasad,

Surgical oncologist, Madurai

-The Hindu