Reduce salt intake, prevent stomach cancer

With these two types of cancers featuring among the top five cancers, doctors in the state stress on the need for amends to be made to the eating habits of the public. In order to make the public aware of the preventive measures that can be taken against these cancers and highlight the fact that they are treatable, the Esophagus Stomach and Obesity (ESO) India held a run on Sunday and also conducted an interactive session with residents.

Stating that the most worrying factor is that the trend continues to rise in India, while it is found to be decreasing in many other countries, Dr Chandra Mohan, former Director, Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology, Madras Medical College, and president of ESO India, said, “It has been found to be on the rise between 2010 and 2015. While the five-year survival rate (post-surgery) is 60 per cent in Japan and other countries, it has found to be barely 10 per cent in the country.

Also, most cases are found only at the advanced stage.” The organisation had analysed over 700 patients and found that from the time that symptoms are detected until the time the patient meets the doctor, a minimum of four months had elapsed.

While people in the South prefer food very high in salt, the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocol of an intake of less than five grams is not followed.

“One of the traditions is to cut a goat during Eid and preserve it for the whole year – to be used whenever required. To preserve the meat, a lot of salt is used. Also our people tend to reuse oil a lot,” said Sadhana P, a nutritionist.

Attempting to clear various myths surrounding the two kinds of cancers, Dr Mohan said, “Many tend to think that smoking affects only the lungs.

However, it is important to note that smoking around 10 cigarettes for years together can also cause cancers of the stomach or esophagus. Diagnosis of these cancers is not a death sentence. It is treatable, especially if diagnosed early.”

The interactive session between the public, the doctors and survivors aimed at clearing myths and focusing on symptoms.

“We also wanted to clear the myth that operation will cause the spread of cancer,” added Dr Mohan