Coimbatore: With the entire world's focus on Lung Cancer this year on 'World No Tobacco Day,' an awareness program was held at the Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research (SRIOR).
Coimbatore: With the entire world's focus on Lung Cancer this year on 'World No Tobacco Day,' an awareness program was held at the Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research (SRIOR).
It was revealed that more than 35 per cent of lung cancer victims are passive smokers, otherwise known as second hand smokers.
Speaking at the release of the animated anti-tobacco awareness videos at Ramakrishna Hospitals on Thursday, Dr. P Guhan, Director and Chief Medical Oncologist of SRIOR claimed that such victims often be the bread winners of their families. "One in every 10 Indian men smoke, and 9 to 10 lakh people are dying worldwide because of lung cancer. While the majority of cases are a result of smoking, it is shocking to see second hand smokers also becoming victims,” he said.
Claiming that the victims approach hospitals only in their last stages, Dr. Guhan added that lack of awareness is also making treatment difficult. Dr. Guhan said that his team had been able to screen 25,00 people in Coimbatore and neighbouring districts, of which 5370 have had ill effects caused by smoking tobacco. Up to 6414 people were victims of chewing tobacco. The team provided nicotine replacement therapy including specially made chewing gums to the victims.