On 7th November, National Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated in India. Established in 2014 by the then Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Celebrated annually on November 7th, chosen on the birthday of Nobel laureate scientist Madame Curie, who made significant contributions to cancer treatment.
National Cancer Awareness Day is dedicated to raising public awareness about early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
Importance of National Cancer Awareness Day
The National Cancer Awareness Day is very important, as it focuses on the growing burden of cancer in India and the myths associated with it. Millions of new cancer cases are reported in India every year, and most of these cases are diagnosed late.
When the cancer is identified in the advanced stage (third or fourth stage), the chances of successful treatment are reduced, and the cost of treatment also increases significantly. The day provides an opportunity to educate people about the early signs of cancer (such as abnormal lumps, prolonged coughing, or bleeding) so that people get checked on time.
Early detection not only makes the treatment successful but also increases the chances of the patient's survival, making this day a life-saving initiative. The day is not just limited to spreading awareness but also promotes information on prevention and treatment. National Cancer Awareness Day reminds people that cancer mostly is preventable. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, and doing physical activity.
Apart from this, this day gives information about government health schemes, free testing facilities, and resources available for treatment. It also enhances the sense of empathy and support towards persons suffering from cancer in the society so that patients and their families can face this battle more strongly.
History of National Cancer Awareness Day
Late cancer detection and limited access to treatment facilities in India were the primary causes of the National Cancer Awareness Day. The government believed that because there is a shortage of knowledge regarding cancer symptoms in rural and semi-urban areas, most individuals seek treatment after their disease has progressed to an advanced stage. The most crucial tool to addressing this grave issue was thought to be awareness.
The day was officially launched in September 2014. The initiative was spearheaded by the then Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. He made the announcement the same day. The day was decided to be celebrated on November 7, as it is the birthday of Nobel laureate scientist Madame Curie. Madame Curie had discovered radium and polonium, used in the treatment of cancer, and her pioneering work in the field of radiology laid the foundation for cancer treatment.
How Can I Prevent Cancer?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting regular checkups are the best ways to prevent cancer. Since many malignancies are directly related to our way of life, there are practical ways to drastically lower the risk.
Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Quit tobacco completely; smoking or chewing (gutkha, pan masala, etc.) is the biggest cause of cancers like lung, mouth, throat, pancreas, and bladder. Limit or avoid alcohol; heavy drinking increases the risk of mouth, throat, breast, liver, and colon cancers.
Eat Healthy and Maintain Weight
Add more plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses; they protect cells and lower cancer risk. Cut down on processed foods, deep-fried snacks, and sugary drinks.
Exercise regularly; let's aim for 30–45 minutes of brisk walking, running, yoga, or any sports. It helps manage weight, boost immunity, and lower breast and colon cancer risk.
Hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent liver cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against cervical, anal, and some other cancers. To book an appointment at Artemis Hospitals for these vaccines, call +91 98004 00498.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Avoid strong sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM. Use sunscreen, wear hats, and cover your skin when outdoors to reduce skin cancer risk.
Go for Regular Screenings
Get tests done as per your age and family history. Women can get mammograms (breast cancer), Pap smear & HPV test (cervical cancer). For both men and women, Colonoscopy (colon cancer), and for high-risk people, a low-dose CT scan (to detect lung cancer).
What Treatments are Effective for Cancer?
The success of cancer treatment depends on several factors, the type of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s health. However, with advances in modern medicine, there are several treatment methods considered to be highly successful and widely effective.
Surgery is one of the oldest and often the most effective methods to treat cancer. It is the preferred option by the cancer specialist in case cancer is detected early and confined to a specific area of the body.
The surgeon physically removes the cancerous tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue. In some cases, surgery is also used for staging (to determine the extent of cancer) or for palliative purposes (to relieve symptoms).
Special drugs are used in chemotherapy to destroy growing cancer cells. These drugs are usually given through injections or IVs, allowing them to travel through the patient’s bloodstream and reach cancer cells throughout the body. It is often a systemic treatment, targeting cancer that may have spread to distant areas.
The specialist may advise chemotherapy before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors or after treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells. For certain cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, chemotherapy is the main line of treatment.
High-energy rays, like X-rays or protons, destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. This is generally a local treatment, meaning it affects only the part of the body being treated. Radiation can be delivered externally (external beam radiation) or internally near the tumor (brachytherapy). It’s often used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy is highly effective for solid tumors such as prostate, head and neck, and breast cancers.
In this treatment, the body's immune system recognizes and combats cancer cells. Immunotherapy, especially using checkpoint inhibitors, disrupts the growth process of cancer cells and enables the immune system to target them more effectively. This approach has demonstrated remarkable success in treating cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer, often leading to long-term control and survival benefits for many patients.
Targeted therapy uses drugs designed to attack specific genes, proteins, or pathways that help cancer grow and spread. Unlike chemotherapy, it precisely targets cancer cells without harming nearby healthy cells. This therapy works best for cancers with specific genetic mutations. It has proven to be very successful in HER2-positive breast cancer, certain types of lung cancer, and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) due to its high precision and effectiveness.
How Does Artemis Hospitals Support Cancer Patients?
Artemis Hospitals is equipped with world-class technology that enhances our ability to provide precision medicine, allowing for more effective and targeted treatments. We pride ourselves on maintaining an environment that combines expert medical care with genuine compassion, making sure our patients and their families feel comfortable and informed throughout the process.
Our multidisciplinary team includes highly skilled oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and other specialists who work collaboratively to design tailored treatment plans for each patient. These plans may incorporate a range of advanced therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical interventions, based on the specific needs and circumstances of the patient.
Whether you're seeking a second opinion or are beginning your treatment journey, Artemis Hospitals serves as a trusted destination for comprehensive cancer management. Book your appointment today by calling +91 98004 00498 to take the first step toward hope, healing, and a brighter future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we celebrate National Cancer Awareness Day?
National Cancer Awareness Day is observed to spread awareness about the importance of early detection and prevention of cancer. It encourages people to undergo regular screenings and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to reduce cancer risk.
What day is Cancer Awareness Day?
In India, National Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every year on November 7. This date was chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of the eminent scientist Marie Curie, whose pioneering work on radioactivity paved the way for the development of nuclear energy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
Why is November 7th significant?
November 7 marks the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Marie Curie, who discovered the radium and polonium elements used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The day honors her contribution and raises awareness about cancer prevention.
What color represents National Cancer Awareness Day?
The lavender ribbon represents general cancer awareness, symbolizing support for all cancer types. However, individual cancers have specific ribbon colors (for example, pink for breast cancer, orange for leukemia).
What exactly is World Cancer Day about?
World Cancer Day, observed globally on February 4, aims to unite people worldwide in the fight against cancer, raise awareness, and inspire action for prevention, detection, and treatment.
What is the cause of 90% of cancers?
About 90% of cancers are linked to environmental and lifestyle factors. So, the place you live and the lifestyle you follow may put you at risk. For instance, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, infections, and prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation can make you sick.
What is the most effective way to prevent cancer?
The best methods of prevention are to avoid tobacco and alcohol, maintain a healthy diet and weight, stay physically active, get vaccinated (HPV, Hepatitis B), and have regular screenings.
What cancer is completely curable?
Several cancers are highly curable when detected early, such as testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and some types of skin and cervical cancers.
What is the number one cause of cancer?
Tobacco use is the leading cause of cancer worldwide, responsible for nearly one-third of all cancer-related deaths.
Is it true that sugar promotes cancer?
Sugar does not directly cause cancer, but a high-sugar diet can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of several cancers. It’s best to consume sugar in moderation.
What’s the nearest cancer specialty hospital?
Artemis Hospitals is the nearest cancer specialty facility near Delhi NCR. It is one of the leading centers for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What’s the cost of a cancer diagnosis?
The cost of cancer diagnosis varies according to the type of test performed. In India, the cost typically ranges between thousands and lakhs. Contact Artemis Hospitals' call centre team to learn more about the cost of cancer diagnosis.
How long should I wait for my cancer diagnostic results?
Most basic diagnostic results are available within 1–3 days, while advanced imaging or biopsy results may take up to a week.
