The
grandparents were in possession of a ten year visa for their annual trips to
Europe and they were undergoing a medical check-up to be insured.
An
inconsolable mother rang up her sons in England and Holland to communicate that
their father was suffering from cancer. The sons rushed comfort the
parents. But where is the visa to combat
cancer?
The father
is currently undergoing chemotherapy and braving radiation
therapy. The mother has been impacted psychologically and has developed
problems of high blood pressure , high sugar levels, intermittent cough and has
become a virtual nervous wreck.
Why me? Any
patient will ask this question and it is
gut wrenching for the family to break the news.
Cancer also
known as a malignant tumour or malignant neoplasm is a group of diseases
involving abnormal growth with the propensity to spread and ingress to other parts
of the human body. The sun sign becomes
an ailment!
4th
February is observed as the World Cancer day. The largest contributor of deaths is cardiac arrests or cardiopulmonary
arrest . WHO posits that cancer will
outdistance cardiac arrests by 2025.
The Geneva
based Union for International Cancer and Control , has around 800 members spread over 155 countries . The body
emphatically allude that early detection of the disease and palliative measures can challenge the sickness.
Notably their theme till the year would be WE CAN, I CAN , DEFEAT
CANCER. This springs from optimism.
“Cancer can
take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind it cannot touch
my heart, and it cannot touch my soul”
writes Jim Valdor.
WHO has
analysed that there are around 7 lac cancer deaths in India
and around 10 lac people contract the disease every year. Among women, claim
oncologists breast cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer is extremely prevalent. Consumption of tobacco , smoking and excessive consumption of
alcohol are other contributory factors which are leading to
widespread increase in cancer.
The United States Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention describes tobacco use as " the single most important
preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause
of premature death worldwide." Several countries have adopted stringent
measures to control the consumption of tobacco with the usage and sale
restrictions as well as bold warning messages printed on the packaging .
Smoking causes cancers of larynx and mouth,
hypertension besides polluting the environment. Secondary smoking is equally
debilitating for the passive smoker. WHO argues that cigarettes sold in
underdeveloped countries tend to have higher tar content and are less likely to
be filtered, potentially increasing the vulnerability of tobacco and smoking
related diseases. Despite the inherent perils, people continue to chew tobacco,
smoke and extremely indulgent towards Bacchus.
An anxious patient, prays and hopes that the growth
is benign. But they are misplaced and
the tumour is malignant . How is the news to be broken to the patient? It
requires enormous skill and dexterity to reveal the truth to the patient and
the family. Both the patient and the family are under tremendous distress.
Dr Ranjana
Shrivastava an oncologist from Australia belabours that it with extreme care , caution and a human touch
the news should be broken. She even suggests
workshops for patients and the traumatised family.
Apart from early detection, early cure , change in life style are fundamental in tackling this lethal disease.
Doctors arguably say a NO to smoking and refrain
from alcohol . Individuals need to draw
up a schedule of diet and exercise . Exercise releases endorphins which have an analgesic effect on human body and mind.
Practise of yoga ( under a qualified practitioner)
, pranayama and breathing techniques
like Sudarshan Kriya help lastingly in detoxifying the human body .
Whether diseased ( hopefully not) or healthy man should be surrounded by
positive company and thoughts . Managing the mind to remain calm ,
contented provides roots to be mentally
strong and sturdy. Reading inspiring
literature of cancer survivors , their life stories act as a parachute for those afflicted with cancer.
“ Time is shortening . But everyday that I
challenge this cancer is a victory for me.”
Says Ingrid Bergman
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