Karnataka’s Health Department Alerts Tobacco-related Cancers as Notified Disease

Implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act may bring down the rates of tobacco related-cancers as it contributes to nearly 40 to 50% cancers.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Home Department and the National Informatics Centre’s state unit in an effort to create awareness about tobacco-related cancers, announced that cancer will be a notified disease. A notified disease is one that is required by law to be reported to government authorities.//

The government also launched a software to keep tabs on the implementation of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

Lung Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor in the lung tissues. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer with symptoms like recurrent respiratory diseases.

The event also marked World Head and Neck Cancer Day. Home Minister K J George said that Karnataka is the fourth state to make cancer a notified disease. With this initiative, more focus will be given on data collection and policies establishing treatment facilities. Every doctor who comes across a cancer patient should inform the government, he said.

“Cancer is a growing health concern in the world and in Karnataka. Till date 2.4 lakh individuals were booked under the COTPA. This was done in coordination with other departments,” George said. Health Minister U T Khader said the new software will help monitor the effective implementation of the Act.

The deputy commissioners and superintendents of police will have to submit reports on the action taken based on the Act and this information will be available at the NIC, he added.

Oral Cancer | Mouth Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Oral cancer is a cancer that develops in any part of the mouth. It is more common in men over 40.

Dr Vishal Rao, oncologist and member of High Power Committee for Tobacco Control, welcomed the move and said that apart from treatment options, now there will be workshops and other approaches to create awareness about cancer in society.

Dr Ravindranath, Vice Chancellor, RGUHS, said that the university is going to create awareness among its staff about cancer and hold workshops for students. “The risk factors of tobacco will be included in academics,” he said.

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Source-Medindia

Quiz on Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers begin in squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck. These kinds of cancers related to squamous cells are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas.

Cancers of head and neck are further differentiated by the area of head and neck in which they begin. This form of cancer starts in lip, oral cavity (mouth), nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx.

Cancers in brain, eye, esophagus, thyroid gland, scalp, muscles and bones of head and neck are not categorized under head and neck cancers. In some cases, squamous cells can be found in lymph nodes of upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of head and neck. If this happens, cancer is called metastatic squamous neck cancer with unknown (occult) primary.