Prevention is better than cure goes the adage. But, despite knowing the fact that chewing pan masala, gutka and smoking cause cancer, many youngsters acquire the habit. There are some cancers, which cannot be avoided. But, regular screening and timely treatment can cure them, say oncologists.
Cancer, which used to be seen as a death warrant in the past, is no longer so, with cure available for almost all types of cancers, provided they are detected early. A look at the growing number of cancer patients thronging the few government and a large number of private super specialty cancer hospitals, which were established in the city in the past decade or so, indicates the rising number of cancer cases.
“A high incidence of breast cancer is seen in Visakhapatnam region. Those with a genetic predisposition, run a higher risk of breast cancer. Early menarche and early menopause in women are some of the other reasons for breast cancer. This is followed by oral and head and neck cancers, 90% of which are preventable, and cervical cancer in women,” says Shilpa Kandipalli, in charge head of the Department of Medical Oncology, King George Hospital (KGH).
