AGARTALA, Feb 4 (TIWN): In order to create awareness among the people of Tripura about the preventive ways of cancer and dismiss the misconceptions about the disease among the people, ‘World Cancer Day’ was observed across the state through various rallies and awareness programmes here on Monday.

To mark the day, an awareness rally was jointly organized by the DS Research Centre and  Department of Medical Radiotherapy Technology of Tripura Institute of Paramedical Science (TIPS) traversing through different city roads of Agartala. The students of TIPS participated in the rally with few play cards including “Cancer does not mean death”, “Never give up, never surrender to cancer”, “Smoking Kills”, and many others.

Tobacco is the single most important factor which causes cancer, but the disease can be prevented by following simple steps like eating a healthy diet, managing obesity and proper exposure to the sun, said an official of National Health Mission (NHM) on National Cancer Day.

According to a report released by World Health Organization (WHO), cancer, a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells which can affect almost any part of the body, is a leading cause of death around the world, he said. “Lung and oral cancers are the most common cancers among men while cervical and breast cancers are the most common cancers in women”, he said.

He further said, "Not much is talked about preventive measures as people believe there is nothing they can do to prevent cancer. The truth is they can. By following health lifestyles, they can cut the risk to a great extent.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) experts, over 30 percent cancer deaths can be prevented by addressing the main risk factors- tobacco use, drink alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and excess body weight.