The State Cancer Institute (SCI) along with Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), an initiative of the Tata Trusts and Government of Assam organized a Cancer Walkathon (SCI to Ullubari flyover) on Sunday for five kilometres.
This event was organized on the second anniversary of SCI at Guwahati to create awareness about this disease and promote healthy lifestyle.
Cancer Walkathon is being organized with an objective to create awareness among people about cancer, risk factors, symptoms and treatment and facilities available for the treatment of this disease; mobilize the community towards screening for early detection of cancer; mobilize for common cancers after the age of 30 years and to create awareness about the ill-effect of consuming tobacco.
It is to be mentioned as 48.2 per cent adult population in Assam consume tobacco products. According to Global Adults Tobacco Survey 2017, 50 per cent of all cancers and 90 per cent of all oral cancers are due to tobacco consumption.
Every year, 32,000 new cancer cases are detected in Assam because of consuming tobacco in form of smoking and chewing. 70 per cent of the cancer cases are presented at a late stage.
The use of tobacco products (in the forms of smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco) are the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. Cancer is more prevalent in people above the age of 30 years.
Students, defence personnel, teachers, doctors, nurses, health professionals, government institutions, non-government organizations and community based organizations took part in this event.