World Cancer Day: Cancer Control and Cancer Reasearch in India

World Cancer Day

It is annually celebrated on 4^th of February, all over the globe.

Significance of this day was first observed in year 1933 by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) at Geneva, Switzerland.

It was an initiative to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to integrate cancer control into the world health development agenda.

It has educated the world to save millions of preventable deaths.

In 2014, it has been focused on ‘Target 5’ of the World Cancer Declaration: Reduce stigma and dispel myths about cancer, under the tagline “Debunk the Myths”.

In current scenario 7.6 million people are dying of cancer worldwide every year. Out of which, 4 million people die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years).

By the year 2025, premature cancer deaths are projected to increase to 6 million per years.

The estimate of 1.5 million lives which are at threat due to cancer could be saved per year if strategies are adapted to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘25 by 25’ target to reduce premature deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.

Cancer Control in India

India is one of the few developing countries that have a National Cancer Control Program organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Its primary objectives include prevention of tobacco related cancers and other prevalent forms like cancer of uterine cervix, mouth and breast as well as extension and strengthening of therapeutic services including pain relief on a national scale through regional cancer centers and medical colleges (including dental colleges).

The current program envisages- Recognition of new Regional Cancer Centers (RCCs); Strengthening of existing RCCs; Development of oncology wings in medical colleges; District Cancer Control Program; Decentralized NGO Scheme which together would aid the concerted network of cancer control.

Cancer Research in India

The   research on cancer is more oriented towards understanding the tumour micro environment, mechanisms that restrain tumorigenesis and translating novel findings towards cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapies.  

The new era science is more concerned with personalized treatment strategies with targeted agents that are directed specifically to the molecular abnormalities that are driving specific tumours.

Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Kolkata

Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was formed by amalgamation of Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital and Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Centre on 1st April 1987 and was recognized as the Regional Cancer Center (RCC). 

Government of India also recognized CNCI as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) in the year 1997. The main objectives of CNCI are:

1. To spread cancer awareness aiming prevention and control.
2. To promote cancer prevention, cutting edge diagnosis: modern treatment, research, training and education in oncology.
3. To impart post graduation and paramedical education in all branches of oncology.
4. To have collaboration with National and International organizations in prevention, control and cure of cancer.

CNCI is dedicated to all classes of the society and therefore imparts free treatment for economically challenged patients. Each year more than 500 patients belonging to BPL category get financial assistance from the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) Scheme of Government of India. (PIB Features.)