Dispel the myths and conceptions about Cancer!
Cancer is the biggest cause of death worldwide. Every month about 600,000 people die of cancer. Cancer can affect any part of the body at any age in life. The sad news is that the global cancer epidemic is expected to rise and cancer related deaths are predicted to double to nearly 12 million per year by 2030.
Cancer is the biggest cause of death worldwide. Every month about 600,000 people die of cancer. Cancer can affect any part of the body at any age in life. The sad news is that the global cancer epidemic is expected to rise and cancer related deaths are predicted to double to nearly 12 million per year by 2030.
Although there has been much progress made in terms of research and treatment, access to information, prevention and quality care is still low especially in developing countries like India. Therefore, World Cancer Day was initiated to promote awareness, to advocate for concerted efforts of all key players and to dispel myths and misconceptions around cancer so that the impact of cancer on individuals and families be minimised. It is critical to make personal and collective commitments to learn as much as possible about cancer, reduce risk factors and to promote access to early detection and treatment.
This year’s focus is on the need to dispel the myths and misconceptions about cancer. Everywhere in the world there are cultural, religious and social misconceptions that hinders timely access and quality care. Some of the most common myths identified by campaigners worldwide are: ‘We don’t need to talk about cancer’, ‘there are no signs or symptoms of cancer’, ‘there is nothing I can do about cancer’ and ‘I don’t have the right to cancer care’. These misconceptions are perpetuated by lack of information and fear. One of the major misconceptions in Nagaland which must be debunked is that Cancer is a curse for wrongdoing.
About 18 years ago, our family was affected by this disease when my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer which needed intensive and extensive treatment over many months. I vividly remember the period as being very difficult and stressful. We were so fortunate that her treatment worked and she eventually recovered. Of course, this would not have been possible without the prayer, emotional and financial support from our extended families and friends. We remain extremely grateful to this day.
Quite early on my mother realised that the only way to fight the disease was to embrace it with total openness and honesty. With few other survivors she formed the Cancer Survivors’ Fellowship in Kohima and until today every month, they have regularly fellowship of prayer and sharing, they visit cancer patients in hospitals and homes to share their experiences and they are actively engaged in promoting cancer awareness and supporting appropriate programmes and policies. She always says that cancer in Nagaland is like drug abuse in Nagaland. It has affected almost every family in one way or another and it needs the support of everyone to overcome it. Living with cancer requires constant awareness and practice about healthy living and reaching out with care and hope-giving stories. Nobody is immune to cancer. Anyone could be at risk. My mothers’ own doctor who treated her with so much care and professionalism has sadly died of cancer few years ago.
On this World Cancer Day let us pray for and support those who are affected as well as those providing care and treatment at homes, in hospitals and hospices. We also salute those who are constantly working to find better treatment and cure for cancer.
