Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 22: Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA) Jammu organized a talk on dreaded cancer disease.
At a very well attended function, Principal of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, who is also HoD of Oncology Department of the Medical College, gave an informative talk on cancer which is a major cause of mortality among senior citizens.
Dr Gupta said majority of cases of male cancer are reported from age group of 60 to 80 years and female cases from age group of 40 to 60 years. He said that there are more than 100 types of cancers which can affect any part of the body. Referring to the magnitude of Cancer in India, he said that about 10 lakh new cases are diagnosed annually and about 4 lakh patients die every year.
He said that smoking, intake of alcohol, iron deficiency/deficiency in micronutrients, infection with helicobacter pylori, etc are the major risk factors for cancer. Speaking on prevention of cancer, Dr Gupta advised to take a low-calorie diet with fruit and vegetables, poultry products and fish, fibrous food, daily intake of 6 to 8 glasses of water, quality protein, minerals, calcium rich food etc.
Dr Ashok Bhan, who was the guest of honour, extensively spoke on loneliness and social isolation among the elders which are responsible for higher risk for diseases like mental and physical health, quality of life and even mortality.
B R Sharma, State Election Commissioner, in his presidential address, said that getting old is like climbing a mountain and feel out of breath but on reaching the top the view is rewarding.
General secretary of CGPWA, K B Jandial in his welcome address, said that the Association has been celebrating such Days with Health Talk to create awareness about the diseases distressing senior citizens. Cancer is one such disease that afflicts elders.
Vice president of CGPWA, Dr Sudarshan Kumar while presenting vote of thanks, said senior citizens should strive to remain fit as fitness would be no burden on the society.
Earlier, Dr Bhan and BR Sharma honoured Dr Ashutosh Gupta for his illuminating and informative lecture.