An elderly person cured of cancer inaugurating the World Cancer Day at KLE SS Cancer Hospital in Belagavi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A cancer awareness programme was organized at the KLE Dr. Sampath Kumar Shivanagi Cancer Hospital (KLESSCH) in Belagavi on Tuesday, as a part of World Cancer Day.

KAHER University Vice-Chancellor Nithin Gangane, who inaugurated the event, said that rapid developments in health care technology have helped save millions of lives around the world, including those suffering from diseases considered incurable in the past.

“We are witnessing a scenario where cancer patients have recovered and lead a fearless life. However, the fear associated with cancer still remains. Several people are shocked when they hear the word cancer. It is our job to create awareness about the disease and reduce the fear about it among the people. We should instill hope in patients, their family members and the general public,” he said.

He urged the people to regularly undergo screening and if diagnosed, sign up for treatment in the earlier stages of the disease.

“We should all join hands to treat cancer patients who are suffering economically and socially and intensify the awareness campaign by providing them special assistance,” he said.

“Efforts should be made to bring them back into the mainstream of society,” Dr. Gangane said.

Medical Director Mallikarjun Jali said that KLESSCH has most of the state-of-the- art facilities available in the line of cancer treatment and also a team of well-educated doctors. Efforts are being made to provide all necessary treatment to patients, he said.

The hospital felicitated patients who have recovered from cancer. Some of them shared their experiences. The Department of Posts released a special cover.

Director of KLE USM H.B. Rajashekar, principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College N.S. Mahantashetty, vice-principals V.M. Pattanashetty and Rajesh Pawar, Medical Superintendent of KLE Charitable Hospital Arif Maldar, Clinical Administrator and Radiation Oncologist Imtiaz Ahmed, doctors Kumar Vinchurakar, Mahesh Kallolli, Santosh Mathapathy, Rashmi Patil, Rajendra Metagudamath, Rohana Bhise, Sapna K., Raghavendra Sagar, Rohit Patil and others were present.