Southern States - Karnataka

Task force moots dt.-level cancer control scheme

By R. Vijaya Kumar

BANGALORE May 2. The Task Force on Health and Family Welfare, chaired by H. Sudarshan, has strongly recommended that a cancer control programme be launched at the district level for early detection and management of the disease.

The task force, in its final report, has suggested involvement the staff of the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) in this programme.

Cancer is a major cause of death in the country, and nearly 45,000 new cases are detected in the State each year. According to the task force, the estimated number of cancer cases in the State is between 1.5 lakh and two lakh.

The report has said there is a need to look at the problem of cancer in the State in a broader perspective encompassing prevention, early detection and access to treatment. The detection of cancer often occurs when it is in an advanced stage due to a combination of lack of awareness, poor economic condition of the patient, fear of the disease, and lack of adequate diagnostic facilities.

Outlining a plan of action for early detection and treatment, the task force has suggested to the Government to consider and implement the comprehensive recommendations for the Karnataka State Cancer Control Programme prepared by the Director, KMIO.

The model programme of the KMIO has innovative methods for early detection and treatment of cancer to "suit our socio-economic conditions".

Emphasising the need for establishing a District Cancer Control Programme, the report observes that though the Union Government, under the Cancer Control Programme, gives grants to establish radiotherapy centres and cancer detection centres in government hospitals, medical college hospitals, and non-profit medical establishments, the State has not fully utilised this opportunity.

The task force has made a special study of the prevalence of cancer among women, especially cervical, breast, and oral cancer. It has said that special attention is needed, as women tend to seek treatment late, when the disease is at an advanced stage.

The task force has suggested that the model programme of the KMIO be implemented as a pilot project in three or four districts such as Mandya, Gulbarga, Kanakapura and Chikmagalur since these places have treatment centres.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Police want clampdown on NH eateries
• Night safari proposed at Bannerghatta
• BJP begins dharna against power tariff hike
• `State releasing water to TN'
• Union Minister to inspect roadwork in Karnataka
• Poor patients to get free kidney transplants
• Task force moots dt.-level cancer control scheme
• Industry has to compete globally to grow: CII
• Centre permits Mahadayi diversion
• `India has competitive edge over China'

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu