New Delhi: India’s emergence as a fast growing economy and its consequential change in lifestyle-related behaviors are partially responsible for the country’s increasing cancer burden. This disease is among the top leading causes of death among both rural and urban India. According to the latest National Cancer Registry Program, some of the highest incidence of cancer rates among men and women in the country were observed in Aizwal district in Mizoram and East Khasi district in Meghalaya.
In the above backdrop, an event is being organised by the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance and the Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong in association with Public Health Foundation of India and under the banner of Voices for Health. The initiative is an effort aimed at engaging people and communities to better understand public health and to educate them about key determinants of emergent heath issues.
These discussions are a part of series of public engagement events that will bring together biomedical researchers with policy makers, social scientists, health workers, media and other stakeholders to talk about important health issues.
The panel discussion at the event will serve as a platform to hear from cancer researchers, doctors, care givers, and survivors. It also presents an opportunity to ask and get your cancer-related questions answered.
Date & time : 26 July, 3.30 PM
Venue: State Convention Centre, Shillong (Bishop Cotton Road, Opposite Aurobindo Ashram)
Expert panel : Dr Preet K Dhillon, Cancer epidemiologist, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, Ms Patricia Mukhim (Padma Shri), Editor, Shillong Times, Dr Juditha Symielieh, Oncologist, Civil Hospital, Shillong, Prof (Dr) P Bhattacharya, Head, Cancer Palliative Care Clinic & Registrar, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Science, Shillong, Dr Munin N. Baruah, Managing Director, North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Guwahati.
Key focus of the discussion: What are some of the common causes of cancer specific to the North East? How can we bridge the gap between the public and their access to key health information on cancer? How can effective communication and public engagement remove the stigma attached to cancer? What kind of support is available for cancer patients during and post-cancer treatment? How can different stakeholders and, most importantly, YOU play an important role in cancer prevention? and more.
Those interested in attending the event can save the date and spread the word around. RSVP for the event is http://bit.do/cancerevent
