Lifestyle and behavioural choices such as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating are to responsible for increased mortality rates from Non-Communicable Diseases. Cancer is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in India. Out of 8 million cancer deaths occurred worldwide, 700,000 cancer deaths occurred in India. Andhra Pradesh is ranked 10th in terms of the highest cancer rate across the country.

Realizing the health disasters in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana States, especially the spreading of cancer, Caritas India through its “Snehahstham” Cancer awareness & preventive program is alerting people about the implications of Cancer and its preventive measures.

This program invites every person of goodwill, inspired by faith, motivated to be the harbingers of hope to the vulnerable and the marginalized. It is moving everyone with societal responsiveness to be more sensitive to the needs of the affected and their families. Every person in the society is invited to be a partner in the process not just because of the social responsibility concerns, but with a deeper concern for the poor, moved by the compassionate involvement. In this connection, diocesan partner of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are conducting the programs to inform people about the ill effects of Cancer. on Dates 27th &29th December 2020 in the

This week on 27th &29th December 2020, the Diocesan social service society (DSSS) of Khammam has conducted awareness programs for 60 SHG women belonging to SC/ST Community on Cancer at Nacaharam & Edlacheruvu Villages. Fr Kiran Kumar, Director and Mr Lurdu, Coordinator of the DSSS informed the SHG members about the causes of cancer. They also explained about the causes and types of cancer and preventive measures. The information on numerous cancers including breast cancer, uterus cancers in women and Colon cancer and Lung cancers in men were shared in detail.

The Importance of a healthy lifestyle was stressed and asked to have fiber rich vegetable and fruits in the daily diet. The DSSS is promoting the nutrition garden consisting of fruits and Vegetables which were shared with the 40 women from Nacaharam village.

L.Seethamma and G. Rani, the SHG Leaders and the resident of Nacharam village shared that they heard about cancer but did not know about its types, causes and its prevention. They also learnt about the importance of healthy food, vitamins, fiber and nutrition garden.

This is the first time that the SHG group leaders from Edlacheruvu, Ms Mariyamma and Jaymma heard about cancer and healthy lifestyle. They said, So far no one reached to us to give information about the Cancer and certainly this awareness will help us to take care of our families in protecting from cancer.