Together, let us make it possible!

A worrisome 40,000 new cancer cases annually in God's Own Country's population of 31.8 million of people! More than 40 per cent of cancers in Kerala are due to the use of tobacco, both smoking and chewing. Lung cancer seen most commonly cancer among men of the State. Among women, around 90 per cent of lung cancers caused by tobacco including passive smoking.


The World Health Organisation reports that cancer accounted for 7.6 million deaths (around 13 per cent of all deaths) in 2008. Tobacco use ranks significantly in the five leading behavioural and dietary risks that contribute to about 30 per cent of cancer deaths. Globally, tobacco use causes 22 per cent of global cancer deaths and 71 per cent of lung cancer deaths.


These are some facts and figures that hit us on our face as we mark World Cancer Day today, which is themed 'Together it is possible'. Let's imbibe the purport of this day and strive to fight smoking tobacco, beedis and use of pan masala, in whatever little way we can.


Together, let us make it possible!