National Cancer Awareness Day 2022-23: Know the theme, history and significance of November 7

November 7 is observed every year as the National Cancer Awareness Day in India. Here we discuss the history and significance of this day over the years and how we can actually observe 7 November in its true spirit in 2022-23.

Cancer, a deadly disease with hardly a permanent, fool-proof cure so far. It has been known to take the lives of millions in the world, with India being no exception to the rule. Such is the nature of this fatal disease. As much as we would pray that our nation remains safe and sound from the grips of this fatality, it cannot be denied that cancer does affect people in large numbers in India every single year. The National Cancer Awareness Day is a small but powerful initiative in the direction of generating awareness among Indians about the dire need for early diagnosis and prevention of cancer.

Visual Stories by PayBima

10 Amazing Benefits of Dry Dates (Chuara) in Daily Life | PayBima

10 Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruit for Good Health

10 Benefits of Jackfruit Seeds to Stay Healthy & Fit

10 Best Car Insurance Companies in India 2022 & Their Claim Settlement Ratio

10 Best Pension Plans and Retirement Plans 2023 for Senior Citizens in India

View More Web-Stories

What is National Cancer Awareness Day?

November 7 is observed every year as the National Cancer Awareness Day in India. The reason for this is simple. While it’s nearly impossible to fight this disease once it has tightened its grip over our bodies, it can still be prevented through early medical intervention. This is why there is an urgent need in the nation to generate widespread awareness among its citizens against the causes, methods of treatment, and the consequences of this deadly disease we call cancer.

What is the Theme of National Cancer Awareness Day in 2022-23?

Every year on November 7, National Cancer Awareness Day is observed. This year too, this day will be observed around the nation to keep up with the trend. The National Cancer Awareness Day theme 2022-23 is to increase awareness among the people of the country about this deadly disease as well as to acquaint them with the various ways in which cancer can be prevented, diagnosed and treated to save lives.

History of November 7 National Cancer Awareness Day

November 7 has been observed as National Cancer Awareness Day in the country for the last 8 years now. It was first initiated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare in India, in September 2014. Ever since, every year on November 7, the country observes this day towards raising awareness about cancer.

As far as the history of this date goes, November 7 has been carefully selected because it is also the birth anniversary of Madame Curie, the scientist who discovered radium and polonium, leading to the invention of radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Her work in radioactivity fetched her two Nobel Prizes in the year 1911.

In 1975, the National Cancer Control Programme was launched in India which announced the opening of facilities directed at the treatment of cancer in the country. These facilities were equipped with the right techniques to detect cancer at early stages.

Read More: 10 Cancer Hospitals In India For Free Cancer Treatment

Significance of National Cancer Awareness Day 2022-23

We already learned above that November 7 has been chosen as the day when the entire nation observes the National Cancer Awareness Day in an attempt to generate and raise more awareness about the fatal disease.

In 2018, India reported a whopping 3,17,928 death cases in men and women both on account of the heavy use of tobacco, both smoked and oral (without smoke). Tobacco is a toxic substance which is believed to be the leading cause of cancer in a number of people all over the world. Since then, approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases are reported in the country every single year, some owing to tobacco use, while others account for other forms of cancer, such as cervical cancer in women, oral cavity and lung cancer in men, and breast cancer in women again.

Hence, Dr. Harsh Vardhan is of the opinion that an early diagnosis of this disease can pave the way for its treatment at a lower cost than what would need to be spent on treating it when diagnosed later (at advanced stages). Besides the cost factor, the mortality rate among both men and women due to cancer would also be lower if more people visited screening centers at a time when the earliest symptoms are observed.

The 2022-23 National Cancer Awareness Day is therefore directed at raising awareness among the maximum number of people in India, encouraging them to report for early symptom screening, thereby preventing and successfully treating the disease at early stages.

What to Do on November 7, 2022-23?

We’ve been discussing a lot about the history and significance of National Cancer Awareness Day. However, what exactly are we supposed to do on this day? How is the day observed across the nation? Let us see how we can play our bit on this important day:

1. Get yourself tested. It may not always be necessary that you would be able to determine a problem only when it starts affecting you directly. Sometimes early symptoms can be easily diagnosed through screening tests and doctors and medical professionals can be in a better position to help you, if required. This is why Dr. Harsh Vardhan states that an early diagnosis and intervention in the case of cancer can help save lives.
2. Create awareness about the disease around you. Make sure you talk to your family, friends and as many people as possible in your environment about the impotence of early screening and diagnosis of cancer symptoms.
3. Help the affected. There may not be much that we can do to offer assistance to someone who has been unfortunately affected by the disease. However, sometimes small deeds can matter a lot. It could be a bit of financial support to the patient and their family or maybe just a casual visit to make them feel supported and cared for.

Top Health Insurance Plans for Cancer Patients in India

The treatment for cancer can be a prolonged one, meaning there is exorbitant expenditure involved. Hence, it makes sense to opt for health insurance for a patient diagnosed with a critical and terminal illness as cancer. Here are some of the best options to consider investing in:

Also Read: How a Family Floater Health Insurance Plan Works?

Wrapping Up

National Cancer Awareness Day is observed every year to encourage more people in India to get tested for early symptoms and receive timely medical intervention that can help with the treatment and even save lives. The treatment for cancer is generally prolonged and highly expensive owing to the cost involved in chemotherapy and the like. This is why it helps to buy health insurance to safeguard your life savings being washed away in the treatment of such a disease.

Found this post informational? Browse PayBima Blogs to read interesting posts related to Health Insurance, Car Insurance, Bike Insurance, Term Life Insurance and Investment section. You can visit PayBima to Buy Insurance Online.

Must Read: Factors to Consider Before Buying Cancer Health Insurance Policy | Best Health Insurance Plans for Cancer Patients

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by paybima (@paybima)