World Cancer Day 2024: Closing the Care Gap and Fighting Cancer Together | Best Oncologist Dr Nagendra Parvataneni

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Every year on February 4th, the world observes World Cancer Day to make people more aware of cancer and encourage actions like screenings, early detection, prevention, and better treatment. The theme for this year is “Closing the Care Gap.” This means working together to make sure everyone, no matter who they are, can get good healthcare. It is about making healthcare accessible to people in cities and remote areas, reducing costs, and helping those who cannot afford it. Closing the care gap also involves educating people about the importance of getting screened for cancer and taking preventive measures. The focus is on reaching underserved communities and making sure everyone has equal access to healthcare.

Dealing with cancer is complex, with various challenges. To tackle this, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, public health groups, and communities must work together. The goal is to prevent cancer, find it early, treat it well, support survivors, and provide comfort to those at the end of life. This collaborative effort aims to provide equal access, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for all cancer patients. World Cancer Day is all about raising awareness and taking action to make these goals a reality. “Equal access to cancer care” means that all people, regardless of background, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or other factors, have the same opportunities and resources to receive timely, high-quality, and comprehensive cancer treatment. Making sure everyone can get necessary medical services and support involves breaking down barriers that might stop certain groups from getting the help they need. Additionally, it is about encouraging continuous research and innovation in treating and preventing cancer. World Cancer Day supports efforts to find new treatments, improve existing ones, and foster teamwork on a global scale. This teamwork includes governments, healthcare groups, advocacy organizations, and individuals working together to overcome the challenges posed by cancer.

Cancer and its treatment can have a significant economic impact on patients, their families, employers, and society. Cancer has a wide-ranging economic impact, including direct medical costs, indirect costs due to lost productivity, and societal costs. Cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are pricey, covering medications, hospital stays, and procedures. After treatment, ongoing check-ups and potential long-term medications contribute to costs. The indirect costs include loss of productivity because cancer and its treatment can make people miss work, impacting both patients and those caring for them. This adds to the financial strain and career disruptions. Few face disability after treatment resulting in loss of job. Cancer in addition can strain relationships in a variety of ways, affecting both personal and professional connections. Cancer’s challenges frequently result in emotional, physical, and practical burdens that strain interpersonal dynamics. Awareness alone will not reduce the cancer burden, but it does play an important role in initiating positive changes and influencing various aspects of cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

In the past, heart and infectious diseases were the main causes of death globally. However, it’s predicted that by 2025, cancer will become the leading cause, causing around 10 million deaths, or one in six deaths worldwide. In India, lung, colorectal, and breast cancers are the deadliest. Notably, lung cancer is the top cause, and about 80% of these patient’s smoke. Tobacco is a major contributor to cancer in India, causing 27% of cases. Quitting smoking and other tobacco products can significantly lower cancer rates. Unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diet, obesity, alcohol, and lack of exercise, also lead to cancer deaths. Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of cancer. Thankfully, there are various treatment options available, like robotic surgery, proton therapy, cyber-knife surgery, and non-invasive robotic radiation therapy, offering advanced ways to fight cancer. Dr Nagendra Parvataneni, Senior Consultant and Robotic Surgeon, KIMS hospitals.