With the rise in reporting of cases pertaining to oral cavity, cervical (cancer of the mouth of the womb) and breast cancer; which are preventable, doctors have recommended regular health check-up and a healthy lifestyle. Medical fraternity from the city shared its observations with Sakaal Times on the World Cancer Day, on Thursday.

“Due to the increased awareness levels and advanced technology of investigation, the reporting of various types of cancers have been noticeable during last few years. Sarcoma - a cancer of connective tissue like bone, cartilage, fat etc; cancer of human organs including brain, stomach, lung, ovary, breast, cervix and oral cavity are the major cancers. Out of these, oral cavity, breast and cervix cancers are preventable,” said Dr Kavita Chaphalkar from city-based Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre.

She strongly recommended to avoid any kind of addiction like drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gutkha, as prevalence of oral cavity cancer is the highest among all. “It’s the only cancer which specific reason is known. At Cipla alone, as many as 1,677 cases of oral cavity cancer followed by 935 cervical cancer cases and 754 breast cancer cases were till 2008,” she said.

As far as breast cancer is concerned, self-inspection and regular medical check-up are utmost important after a certain age, she said. “Without hesitating, one must approach doctor, even if a small change in basic anatomy is observed. Timely diagnosis may help in long term. In case of cervical cancer, hygiene is very much necessary. But over all negligence towards health may cost a lot later in life. The roots are hidden in fast and stressful lifestyle, irregular and imbalanced diet adding to the cancer risk,” she added.

City-based consultant cancer surgeon and Laparoscopic surgeon Dr Shailesh Puntambekar too agreed with the facts. Out of reported cancer cases, 33-34 per cent cases are of oral cancer, 20-22 per cent cases are of cervical cancer and around 20 per cent cases are of breast cancer, he said.

 “Cervical cancer is also preventable. Lack of hygienic practice and multiple sexual partners can be the reasons behind it. Regular medical check-up, particularly for high-risk groups on quarterly basis can be recommended,” Puntambekar said.