Stress on multi-stakeholder approach to eliminate cancer

Hyderabad declaration of Apollo Cancer Conclave (ACC) has stressed on multi-stakeholder approach to root out cancer threat across the globe. ACC, which was held in the city from February 6-8, has stressed on multi-prong approach to overcome the global cancer threat. The organisers conducted a unique round table discussion on the topic ‘Cancer Care-A Global Perspective’. Through this discussion the conclave gave a call to all the nations across the globe to come together and make concerted efforts to conquer the deadly killer.

The round table panel discussion was held among leading healthcare personalities, health ministers and Ambassadors of 17 countries. The participants unanimously resolved that an aggressive multi-stakeholder approach is needed to overcome the cancer threat globally. Due to drastic environment and lifestyle changes, incidences of cancer have assumed alarming proportions during the past few years now.

Healthcare specialists are of the view that cancer is an auto immune disease and it is triggered genetically due to various factors like environmental and lifestyle behaviours that impact on the human lives. Today cancer has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Every year over 15 million cancer cases are diagnosed across the world and 8 million cancer related deaths occur annually.

“While newer options of cancer diagnosis and treatment offer a new ray of hope to cancer victims, at the same time it is critical to move the focus from treatment of cancer to prevention of cancer. Intensive public education on avoiding tobacco use, preventing viral infections (HBV/HCV and HPV), preventing obesity, avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol and high vegetable and fruit intake is important to keep oneself away from the deadly disease,” said Dr Prathap C Reddy, founder and chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals.

Early diagnosis and effective treatment also reduce cancer morbidity and mortality by over 60 per cent. Mass cancer screening programmes based on the risk of a community will go a long way in preventing deaths from cancer. The round table discussion also strongly advocated massive cancer screening programmes with active participation of the governments, healthcare providers and NGO's.