‘You beat cancer by how you live why you live and in the manner in which you live‘, this quote of Stuart Scott is very much relevant to a cancer patient who fights hard to win against the deadly disease.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer among women in India, accounting for 27% of all cancers among women. Lifestyle choices are known to increase an individual’s risk of cancer. The environment around may contain harmful chemicals that can increase an individual’s risk of cancer.

While sharing these thoughts at the inauguration of ‘SPARSHA’, a mission against cancer in Karnataka initiative by Caritas India, New Delhi in collaboration with KROSS, Bengaluru and 14 diocesan Social Service Societies of Karnataka, Archbishop of Bengaluru Peter Machado expressed his happiness and congratulated Caritas India and her collaborators wishing them all the success for the campaign. He invited other like-minded organizations and other community members to join hands to reduce cases and eradicate this deadly disease.

Father Paul Moonjely, executive director, Caritas India shared that a mission against cancer is the need of the hour as many are affected by the disease. The reasons are unknown. Lifestyle of the people, eating habits are also causes of cancer. He also expressed that between 30-50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. National policies and programmes should be implemented to raise awareness, to reduce exposure to cancer risk factors and to ensure that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

The survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment. This is so only because of early detection, proper screening and timely treatment. The campaign urge kindhearted persons to contribute to this mission as cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems.

Fr Jolly Puthenpura, assistant Executive Director, Caritas India explained the activities designed in this mission. Enrollment and engagement of volunteers, resources mobilization to support cancer patients and their families, early detection camps, promoting preventive measures are the main activities of the mission. He also shared that the collaboration and involvement of like-minded organizations, associations, educational institutions, hospitals, philanthropists are crucial in taking forward this mission against cancer.

Catholic bishops of Karnataka, laypersons, directors and coordinators of 14 Diocesan Social Service Societies were present at the event. Father Sebastian Fernandes, director, KROSS, Bengaluru welcomed the gathering. Fr Marcel Pinto, director, CMSSS, Hassan proposed the vote of thanks while Sr Zita D’Souza, programme coordinator, KROSS, Bengaluru compered the programme. Robert D’Souza, state officer for Karnataka, Caritas India and Cyril Prabhu, officer-campaign, Caritas India extended their support to organize the event.