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Sri Shankara National Centre for Cancer Prevention and Research (SSNCCPR), a unit of Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation has started a cancer prevention clinic. This is the wake of the growing incidence of the disease. The Centre sees the need to empower healthy individuals by creating awareness about cancer and encouraging timely cancer screening so that cancer is detected at an early stage.
National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 estimates that 13.9 lakh new cancer cases in India in 2020 will increase to 15.6 lakhs by 2025 which is a 12% increase from current cases. Around 7.8 lakh) persons succumb in India due to cancer annually and 70% of cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage and reported for treatment at advanced stage. Not only do the chances of cure reduce but also the cost of treatment increases multifold. There is a need to create awareness about cancer among the masses so that more and more people undergo regular cancer screening.
Hence the objective of the cancer prevention clinic is to create awareness regarding cancer prevention & risk reduction. There will be screening for common cancers & pre-cancers through evidence-based methods and treatment. Further, the clinic will also provide risk-reduction counselling that includes tobacco, alcohol, other substance de-addiction and diet modification.
At the clinic, the patients will undergo cancer screening and investigations. Following the assessment of the clinical examinations and test results, they will be either be referred to the concerned specialist for management of the condition. In addition appropriate counselling on genetic disposition diet and inclusion of yoga & physiotherapy will be provided. This will be referred for long-term annual preventive follow-up, stated the according to a communiqué from the Foundation.
Ananth Srinath, director, SSNCCPR said, “We want the society to become aware of cancer and adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent the disease. Through timely screening, cancer can be detected at an early stage so that chances of cure increase and many lives are saved.”
The Foundation has been treating cancer patients since 2012 at its 480 bed Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, which provides high-quality treatment at affordable costs. To date, SSCHRC has given free and concessional treatments worth over Rs. 80 crore.
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