CP Sandeep Patil Stresses Importance of Cancer Awareness on ‘World No Tobacco Day’
Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Police, in collaboration with A J Institute of Dental Sciences, Indian Dental Association DK Branch, Indian Cancer Society, and Parivarthan Charitable Trust, organized a programme to mark the World No Tobacco Day, at Police Line, Pandeshwar here, on May 31.
The Chief Guest of the programme was Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil. The event commenced by invoking God’s blessings with a prayer song. After the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Laxmi Ganesh welcomed the gathering.
Addressing the gathering Patil said, “Firstly, I would like to thank all the organizations that have made this event possible. Health awareness is very important especially for the Police Department because we often work under pressure or stress. However, several hospitals like AJ Hospital have come forward and offering the police personnel free health and medical check-ups. In my own case, when I was posted at Devangere and Belgaum as a DCP, I had to work a lot. That is when I started ignoring my personal health. I never knew if my blood pressure and sugar levels were high or low. Similarly, the police personnel and their families gathered here might also be ignoring their health. This is how we ignore our health. We are able to do good work only when we are healthy and physically fit. “
Patil further said, “Regarding tobacco, the box itself has health warning printed on it, but still people continue smoking because of work-related pressure or due to some other reason. Today, the entire world knows about cancer and how it takes the lives of its victims. Tobacco is not the only reason for cancer but it is one of the main reasons. I have personally witnessed two people in my family diagnosed with throat cancer. Cancer deaths are not peaceful and there is a lot of suffering for 2-3 months. We have to learn about the cancer symptoms so that the disease can be detected early. Yuvraj Singh was also diagnosed with cancer but because of early-stage detection, he was cured and he is back to playing cricket now.”
Later, Dr. Manjunath Rai (HOD of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, AJ Institute of Dental Sciences) delivered a PowerPoint presentation on cancer and its awareness. He said, “Tobacco-related cancer cases are common. There are several forms of tobacco that cause cancer. Almost 45 percent of cancer patients suffer from Head, Neck, and Throat (HNT) Cancer. Oral cancer is the most likely cancer. Most of the patients consult the doctor when they have an advanced stage of cancer. Early detection of cancer is very important. When the cancer is benign then the patient can be cured completely. However, when cancer becomes invasive cancer and reaches the stage of metastatic cancer then that type of disease is called an untreatable disease. The biopsy is not something to be scared about. It is a method of detecting cancer and there is no cause for fear.”
Dr. Nilan Shetty (Secretary of Indian Dental Association DK Branch) briefed the gathering about Mangaluru’s ‘Spit-Free Campaign’. He said, “Spit-Free Mangaluru is a one-year long campaign to make this city ‘Swachh Mangaluru’. Even though this city is generally regarded as a clean place, it has gone down in the rankings of clean cities. One of the main reasons for this is spitting in public and open places. The police personnel are the first point of contact for enforcing the law. There are several diseases that spread due to spitting such as flu, swine flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis, avian flu, etc. We have already conducted several awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, railway stations, and bus stands. We must further spread awareness of the consequences of spitting by using display boards, distributing pamphlets, publishing in print and electronic media, etc. Every state government in the country has a law against spitting in public places but there is no proper implementation of the law. We have to change our attitudes and make Mangaluru Spit-Free.”
Dr Shresta from AJIDS compered the programme. Shaila Lobo from Indian Cancer Society delivered the vote of thanks. DCP (Law & Order) Hanumantharayaa, Assistant Police Commissioner Murugesh, Founder of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Violet Pereira, Dr Shivasharan from Indian Dental Association and others were also present.