Hospital distributes anti-pollution masks to traffic cops

 Ahead of World Cancer Day which falls on February 4, Vikram Hospital on Friday distributed 300 anti-pollution masks to traffic cops to safeguard their health. The masks were distributed as a part of a workshop to create awareness and educate people on the common cancers in India.

According to the World Cancer Report, cancer rates could increase by another 50 per cent by 2020. In India, there are an estimated seven lakh new cancers every year, including 2.3 lakh related to tobacco, and over 3.5 lakh people die of cancer every year.

On the occasion, consultant surgical oncologist, Vikram Hospital, Dr Vijay Kumar said lung cancer is extremely fatal, mostly because it is diagnosed very late, has aggressive subtypes and spreads easily. 

“Cancer is the second-most common cause of death next to cardiac diseases. The good news is that in early stages, these cancers are curable and most of them are treatable. So our objective should be to make people aware of common cancers and to get screened at regular intervals,” said the hospital’s consultant medical oncologist Dr Niti Raizada.

Executive Director and CEO, Vikram Hospital, Sudhir Pai said lung cancer is a deadly disease and needs immediate action. Air pollution masks can filter up to 0.3 microns of dust particles.

DCP Traffic (East) CK Babu, who was present on the occasion, said traffic police officials are most vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to pollution.