Awantipora, Oct 31: Dean of Students in collaboration with School of Health Sciences and University Health Centre, Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora organized a one-day seminar on cancer awareness today.
Dr. Shad Salim Akhtar, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Shabnam Bashir Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology (Breast/Colorectal/Peritoneal Surface Cancers) New City Hospital and Mubarak Hospital, Srinagar, were the invited speakers for the seminar.
Dr. Zahida Rasool, Medical Officer, IUST presided over the welcome address for the seminar and remarked, “Cancer is a global disease which is spreading rapidly among countries. The aim of this seminar is to create awareness to get the right information and reduce the mis-conceptions surrounding cancer patients.”
Speaking on the theme, Dr. Shad Salim cited cancer to be the second largest cause of death globally and talked about common, modified and risk factors for cancer and its rise globally. He concluded his talk with the hope that his interaction with students will work towards informing and sensitizing the younger generation about the cancer risk factors such as the use of drugs, smoking, obesity and especially females with the basic knowledge of breast cancers, which is growing rapidly in the world and in Kashmir as well. Dr. Shad Salim during his session congratulated the University and organizers for the conduct of such much-needed seminars.
Professor Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Dean Academic Affairs IUST and the Chief Guest for the Seminar thanked the speakers for sharing the tremendous knowledge and awareness and highlighted the tremendous research work vis-à-vis health that IUST is undertaking.
During the second half of the seminar, Dr. Shabnam pointed towards factors like obesity, insomnia, stress, diet, etc. that can increase the chances of cancer. Calling Alcohol and Tobacco as the main causes of cancer, Dr. Bashir elaborated, “One in seven types of cancers is caused by Alcohol and one third of cancers is caused by Tobacco respectively.” Citing Breast cancer being the second most common form of cancer and highest in females, Dr. Shabnam stressed on the “Breast Health Awareness” rather than just “Breast Cancer Awareness”.
The seminar concluded by Dr. Tariq Ahmad Ganaie I/C Head of the Department Food Technology IUST, presenting the vote of thanks
