Over 650 take part in Gleneagles Health City Chennai’s walkathon to ‘Close the cancer care gap’

NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, FEB 4

Around 650 students from Hindustan College, Asan Memorial College, Mohammed Sathak College, staffs, and nurses from Gleneagles Global Health City participated in a Walkathon on Sunday to commemorate World Cancer Day.

The Walkathon was organised by Gleneagles Global Health City, a leading multi-speciality quaternary healthcare centre from the campus of NIOT, Pallikkaranai in Chennai. Participants holding placards displaying messages like – ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’, ‘Fight cancer with hope and heart’, ‘Awareness today, a cure tomorrow’.  The theme for World Cancer Day this year is – ‘Close the care gap: Everyone deserves access to cancer care.’

  • Early identification, quick screening, diagnosis, and treatment are the only alternatives to curtail the increase in cancer cases in India: Dr S Rajasundaram
  • World Cancer Day is an occasion where we make people aware of cancer and emphasize that cancer is also curable if it is discovered early: Dr. Nageswar Rao

The guest of honour Professor Dr. S. Rajasundaram, Director, Gleneagles Institute of Oncology, Head, Surgical Oncology, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai flagged off the event from NIOT, Pallikaranai. The walkathon ended at Pallikaranai police station covering 4km. Wearing sneakers, track suits and t-shirts, hundreds of students created the awareness among the public about the cancer.

Cancer prevalence is increasing in India, with recent projections predicting that at least 21 million people will be impacted by cancer by 2030, said Dr. S. Rajasundaram, Director, Gleneagles Institute of Oncology, Gleneagles Health City Chennai. Most cancers are caused by preventable risk factors such as habitual tobacco and alcohol usage, poor diet, a lack of physical activity, and obesity. Early identification, quick screening, diagnosis, and treatment are the only alternatives to curtail the increase in cancer cases in India., added Dr S Rajasundaram

Bhaskar Reddy, Vice President – Corporate Communication, Gleneagles Health City said one in 14/15 people among the population of 1 lakh were affected by cancer. Early detection and treatment can cure the disease completely.

In a statement Dr. Nageswar Rao K, Chief Executive Officer, Gleneagles Health City, Chennai, said “Gleneagles Health City Chennai has always been in the forefront of developing innovative ideas and investing in resources to create a cancer-free world and ensure that everyone has access to great health care.  World Cancer Day is an occasion where we make people aware of cancer and emphasize that cancer is also curable if it is discovered early.”