GUWAHATI, Feb 6 - The Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) has decided to create awareness on oral, breast and cervical cancer at the 88th annual conference of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha which began at Morigaon today, a press release stated.
The Foundation will mobilise people about screening of common cancers after the age of 30 years and make people aware about the ill-effects of consuming tobacco. It will also conduct live enforcement of �tobacco-free zone� in the entire conference area.
Today, the volunteers of the National Service Scheme from Morigaon College helped in the distribution of leaflets. The volunteers also moved with police officials to enforce tobacco control in the area. In a gathering of about 5000 youths, experts spoke on tobacco control and oral cancer.
Vara Prasad, CEO of Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) said, �Cancer is widespread today and the State of Assam has been burdened very heavily by the increasing number of new cancer cases being reported every year. The most important reason for this is the high consumption of tobacco among the adult population in Assam and lack of adequate awareness of screening of common cancers in the Health and Wellness Centres.�
It is to be mentioned that 48.2% adult population in Assam consume tobacco products due to which every year 32,000 new cancer cases are detected. This event will reach 30 lakh local people in this conference, in which NSS volunteers and youth group of the Sangha will help to promote awareness of tobacco and cancer.
The message of tobacco control and preventive measures for common cancer will be distributed in form of leaflets, banners, standees, youth talks, tableau (3D model of Health and Wellness Centre, COTPA enforcement in schools and public place, photo collage of the awareness campaign of ACCF) and street plays amid gathering of 30 lakh people in the conference for four days.
In collaboration with District Tobacco Control Cell, a �Tobacco-Free Zone� will be created by law enforcement through police, youth volunteers and display of signage at different locations of the conference area.
