Cancer survivors, doctors and citizens walk together at dawn, turning Ahmedabad’s streets into a powerful symbol of hope, awareness and life-saving action. – NE photo
- Sterling Hospitals–Rotary initiative transforms Ahmedabad streets into a powerful awareness corridor
- PMJAY and private insurance increasingly covering cancer treatment, easing financial barriers
- Experts stress HPV vaccination, breast self-exams and screening to prevent rising cancer burden
- Advanced therapies improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients
- Global and India cancer cases rising sharply, making prevention and awareness mission-critical
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, FEB 22
In a powerful show of unity against one of the world’s most pressing health challenges, Sterling Hospitals, in collaboration with Rotary International, organised a major Cancer Awareness Walkathon at its Sindhubhavan Unit in Ahmedabad on Sunday morning.
Nearly 500 participants join Sterling Hospitals’ walkathon at Sindhubhavan, reinforcing the message that early screening, vaccination and timely treatment can defeat cancer. – NE photo
The walkathon was ceremonially flagged off by Pratibhaben Rakeshkumar Jain, Mayor of Ahmedabad, who praised the initiative as a vital step toward building a cancer-aware and health-conscious society. She emphasised that awareness, early screening and timely medical intervention are critical to reducing cancer mortality and strengthening public health outcomes.
Held between 7:00 am and 9:00 am, the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from nearly 500 citizens, including doctors, cancer survivors, Rotary members and healthcare professionals, all united by a shared mission—to spread the message that cancer is treatable and often curable if detected early.
The walkathon aimed to eliminate fear, encourage preventive screening, promote awareness of early symptoms and inspire people to seek timely medical consultation, as delayed diagnosis remains one of the biggest challenges in cancer care.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment can save lives: Leadership perspective
Santosh Marathe, MD & CEO, Sterling Hospitals, said, “Sterling Hospitals offers diagnosis, treatment, survivorship programs and palliative care under Oncology services. With advancements in oncology care, many cancers can be effectively treated and even cured if diagnosed at the right stage. Through this walkathon, we wanted to reinforce the message that timely screening and medical intervention can truly save lives.”
Highlighting accessibility and financial protection, Raman Bhaskar, Zonal Director, Ahmedabad Unit, Sterling Hospitals, stated, “The encouraging participation of nearly 500 citizens reflects the growing awareness in the community. Our Sindhubhavan Unit has been dedicated to providing comprehensive cancer care for several years and initiatives like this help us take the message of early detection and cure beyond hospital walls. Importantly, cancer treatment is now covered under government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for eligible beneficiaries at empanelled hospitals, while many private insurers also cover cancer therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, subject to policy coverage. This expanding insurance support is helping reduce the financial burden and enabling more patients to access timely and life-saving treatment.”
Awareness and prevention as important as treatment
Dr. Prasad Muglikar, Group Medical Director, Sterling Hospitals Group, said, “Cancer care today goes beyond treatment. It is equally about awareness, prevention and early diagnosis. Initiatives like this walkathon help bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding, encouraging people to seek timely consultations and adopt healthier lifestyles that can reduce cancer risk.”
HPV vaccination, early screening and advanced therapies key to prevention and cure
Dr. Pooja Nandwani Patel, Director – Radiation Oncology, Sterling Hospitals, highlighted the urgent need for preventive action and awareness: “From a clinical perspective, early detection helps identify cancer cases at very early stages, thereby reducing the need for multiple treatments and significantly improving cancer cure rates while ensuring a good quality of life after treatment. Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, with nearly 20 million new cases annually, while India reports over 1.4 million new cancer cases every year, and the numbers are steadily increasing.
Cervical cancer continues to be among the most common cancers affecting women in India and Gujarat, but it is also one of the most preventable and curable cancers if detected early. Screening programs and awareness initiatives in Gujarat are helping improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Preventive HPV vaccination for adolescent girls and boys is a major breakthrough, as it significantly reduces the risk of cervical and several other cancers later in life.
On this occasion, my message to all women is clear: never ignore your health. Regular breast self-examination, clinical screening and timely medical consultation can detect breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective and cure rates are highest.
Modern cancer care—including targeted therapy, precision radiation therapy, immunotherapy and multidisciplinary oncology care—has revolutionised treatment outcomes, enabling many patients to live longer and healthier lives. With early diagnosis and advanced care, cancer is no longer a death sentence but a treatable condition in many cases.”
Rotary reinforces its commitment to community health
Adding the Rotary perspective, the spokesperson said, “Rotary has always believed in serving the community through meaningful action. This walkathon is a step toward educating people that cancer should not be feared or ignored. Awareness, regular check-ups and timely treatment can make a life-saving difference.”
Walkathon amplifies urgent message: Don’t ignore warning signs
Sterling Hospitals’ Sindhubhavan Unit, a dedicated oncology centre, provides comprehensive cancer care including advanced diagnostics, surgical oncology, radiation therapy and medical oncology under one roof.
Doctors cautioned that changing lifestyles, stress and delayed health check-ups in urban areas contribute to late diagnosis. Citizens were urged to remain alert to warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, abnormal bleeding, unusual lumps or prolonged discomfort.
The walkathon concluded with a powerful and hopeful message echoing across Ahmedabad: awareness, vaccination, screening and timely treatment can dramatically improve survival and transform cancer care outcomes.
