By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The increase of oral cancer in the state can be traced back to the traditional habit of the tribal people in relation to the consumption of betel nut and tobacco, Chairman of the Roko Cancer Charitable Trust APS Chawla said.
“Consuming of betel nut and tobacco which is not at all healthy increases the chances of oral cancer”, Chawla told media persons here on Wednesday.
Emerging as one of the cancer prone areas, an early detection of the disease at the early stage is very important to prevent loss of life. “The only solution to the cure of the disease is an early detection”, Chawla said.
Meanwhile, Medical Officer Incharge Dr Namrata Mohan stated that in any case an early detection of the disease when it is still in the first stage 95% of the case is curable.
The Trust which focuses on three kinds of cancer cervic, oral and breast cancer has its own mobile detection unit with an aim of reaching to the people at its doorstep and providing them free examination.
It is learnt that APS Chawla is dedicated to the cause in fighting the disease after his wife died of breast cancer at an early age of 40.
The Roko Cancer Charitable Trust signed a three year MOU with the Meghalaya Government on February 12, 2010 in order to initiate a drive to fight breast, cervix and oral cancer in the State of Meghalaya in which a total of seven districts are to be covered.
