Teachers, students and staff of the Gurgaon-based Ridge Valley School (RVS) recently joined hands with the Indian Cancer Society to champion the spread of cancer awareness and took up cudgels to fight the delibitating disease.
Participating in the weekly Raahgiri programme, the tiny tots of RVS, dressed in bright yellow shirts, spread smiles and warmth as they led the four-kilometre-long cyclothon conducted by the Indian Cancer Society.
The event was flagged off by Mrs.D.Yadav Assistant Commissioner of Police, East Gurgaon, Mrs.Sita Paintal- an 85 year old cancer survivor, and Mr.Naveen Kshatriya, a member of the Indian Cancer Society.
Cancer survivors present on the occasion talked about inculcating healthy habits right from childhood, making exercise a part of one's daily routine, reducing obesity and keeping a positive attitude towards life.
The highlight was a street play titled 'Cancer Ke liye Halla Bol' performed by RVS students. The play highlighted the grave consequences of bad habits acquired at a young age.
With a million new cases being reported every year, cancer seems to be tightening its grip on India, says one media-related report.
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Experts say the incidence of the killer disease is expected to rise five-fold by 2025.Annually, nearly 500,000 people die of cancer in India. The WHO said this number is expected to rise to 700,000 by 2015.
According to medical professionals, lung and oral cancers are the most common among men while cervix and breast cancer are striking more and more women.
Cancer, according to a report appearing in the TOI recently, is one of the leading causes of deaths in India.
India has nearly three million patients suffering from the disease.
According to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, out of more than 300 cancer centres in India, 40 percent are inadequately equipped with advanced cancer care equipment.
India needs at least 600 additional cancer care centres by 2020 to take on the disease with full force.